ll Heartbeat: An ArHi FF ll*part 5a page 40 - Page 18

Chapter 4: A smile to her face

Arnav felt his heart nearly stop beating at the sight of his newlywed wife. She sauntered down the long flight of steps toward him, adorned in the white dress he had gifted her the very afternoon. It was then that Arnav became sure that there could be no beauty equal to or greater than hers.

The dress he had given her was by far attractive. There were silver stones placed neatly on the breast and hip. A white lace was then twined around the waist after which the dress opened up to its fullest to reveal another ocean of white. What had seemed to be the most beautiful piece of clothing then, seemed to have enhanced by a much greater sum when Khushi was wrapped inside of it.

And now, when his Khushi was walking towards him, a light blush in her cheeks, Arnav had forgotten to breathe altogether.

"You…You look…Amazing…" He whispered as he neared her. Khushi avoided his eyes as she replied, "Thank you…."

The silence that followed seemed to be centuries long. Arnav was at a loss of words and Khushi was waiting for Arnav to speak. Then, as if in a trance, Arnav took a hold of Khushi's hand, feeling a rush of pleasure rush through his veins. He pulled her towards him, aching to close the miles of gap that resided between them.

"Khushi…." He murmured, as his finger lightly caressed her cheeks. Khushi closed her eyes, shuddering at his cool touch. He slowly brushed away a strand of hair kissing her skin and placed it behind her ear. He leaned in to her lips, feeling her fast breathing on his own skin. Their hearts were racing in unison…both desperate…both in pain…but for different reasons. Khushi's hands were clenched into tight fists. I have to do this, she thought. I owe this much to him. On the other hand, she didn't want Arnav to begin falling in love with her. She knew she could never return the same love to him. Little did she know that Arnav had fallen for her the very first time his eyes had locked to hers.

Khushi closed her eyes and held Arnav to avoid backing away from him. She had hurt him enough already. She didn't need to give him anymore pain and she wouldn't. She had decided this long back. Arnav's hand dug into her hair, pulling her head back. She could feel his heavy breathing on her neck. There was a fire in Arnav's very soul…. A fire that ached to unite himself and Khushi at all costs.

And as his lips slowly touched her neck, the fire only grew wilder. He craved for more. Much more. His lips trailed up, towards her jaw and finally stopped at the place he had wanted to touch everytime her saw them; her lips.

Arnav gazed into her eyes, questioningly. All he saw was blankness. She seemed to be near him, yet miles and miles away. It was as if her body was here, but her heart was elsewhere…. Arnav sighed, as he slowly pulled away from her.

"I'm sorry…. I guess I just got carried away…." She shook her head, her eyes still expressionless. "Don't be. You have the right. I'm your wife." He smiled softly. "No, Khushi. I can't do things you don't want me to do just because we're married. The only way I'll have the right, is if you give it to me. And from the looks of it, you're not comfortable with this…this intimacy…."

She didn't speak. "Look, why don't we forget that this whole thing ever happened. Anyways, I have a surprise for you!"

Khushi's eyes slowly regained the same sparkle that he had once seen in them. "What is this Arnav? First the dress and now another surprise? You're going to spoil me well aren't you?" She replied, slowly. He shrugged. "Yes, but you're my wife! Take it as a belated wedding gift?" She smiled softly. "Alright. What is it?"

He slowly wrapped his hand around hers, both feeling the light spark run through them. "It's this way."

Arnav led her through the hallway, down the living room and right through the kitchen.

It was Khushi's turn to be at a loss of words.

The lights were off and a round table was positioned in the center of the room with two seats protruding out. A red table cloth covered the surface of the table while a lit candle was placed directly in the middle. The table was set with two plates, glasses, cutlery and champagne while a small vase with flowers accompanied the candle.

"Oh…Arnav…this is just…." Khushi didn't know what to say. The candles and champagne created the perfect ambience, and Khushi found the entire setting unnaturally romantic.

Arnav grinned shyly. "I didn't know if you'd like it." Khushi's mouth dropped open in astonishment. "Are you serious? Who in their right mind WOULDN'T love this?" Arnav laughed. "Well, I'm honoured that you feel that way!" He gave dramatic bow, to which Khushi laughed. "I don't know about you Khushi, but making all these preparations has really got me hungry." She nodded. "Just looking at all of this has made me hungry!" He sighed in relief while he pulled out a chair for her to sit. "Is that so? Then can I ask the lady to have a seat?" She smiled as she elegantly took her seat. Arnav sat across from her, grinning while he poured the champagne into his glass. "I presume you don't drink?" He asked. Khushi nodded. "You presume correctly." He raised his eyebrows before replying,
"Would some coke please the beautiful lady then?" She giggled softly. "Why! Yes, it would! Would you happen to have any dear sire!"

He winked before racing to inside to grab a can. Khushi 's mouth dropped open when she saw Arnav next. He was drenched. His shirt now clung to his body and his face was dripping…with coke. She couldn't help but burst out laughing at the sight. "Well, I guess you could say I had a little accident….The stupid can exploded on me…." He mumbled sheepishly. "And half the coke in the can's gone…. " Khushi nearly fell out of her seat in laughter. Arnav slowly glanced up at her, frightened that he might never be able to look elsewhere. The instant he gazed into her eyes, he was lost. The fact that he was soaked with soda and looked like a moron didn't seem to matter so much anymore. The fact that he had brought a smile to her face…that mattered a whole lot more to him nowadays.

Her eyes looked like stars to Arnav. Twinkling. Even in the darkest of nights. Seeing the smile on her face brought his heart an overwhelming amount of peace…. He had never seen her this happy…not the first time they had met…not on their wedding day….never. He felt as if his life's goal were fulfilled by bringing one smile to her face.

"Arnav…you're too much!" She declared, still unable to control herself. Arnav gave a fake frown. "Hey! That's not very nice you know! You shouldn't laugh at someone's expense!" She covered her mouth. Her eyes were closed tightly and her body was shaking trying to hold in her laughter. "Sorry…" She choked out. "Uh-huh… sure you are! The fact that you're making fun of me in my depressing situation tells a lot!" She took a deep breath before answering. "Who's laughing? I don't see anyone laughing…. But you know…it is a pretty pitiful situation!" He sighed after taking his seat once more. "I hope you don't mind that half your coke is on my shirt?" She shook her head. "Not a problem at all! Besides, I'm sure the food tastes a lot better than the coke."

Arnav coughed nervously. "Er…about that…. I actually don't know how to cook at all….you'd probably get food poisoning if you ate what I cooked…so I chose a safer option." She raised her eyebrows curiously. "And what might that be?" He grinned. "Give me one minute!" He raced inside once more without waiting for her reply. The moments ticked on as Khushi waited impatiently for Arnav to return. Just as she was about to go inside and look for him, she heard her phone ringing loudly. She reached quickly for it. Her heart sank as she read the name displayed. Arjun.

"Hello…?" She whispered. "Did you think about what I said?" The voice on the other end asked quietly. She sighed, sinking lower into her seat. "Look, can I call you back later. I'm a little busy right now." He groaned. "He's with you, isn't he?"

Just as she was about to reply, she heard footsteps nearing her. Arnav was coming. She cut the phone, panicked, without giving him an answer.

Arnav entered the room, flaunting the dish he held in his hand. "Hot pizza coming your way!" He announced. Khushi smiled nervously, hoping Arjun wouldn't call her back. He placed it down on the table and then took his seat. "This is so sweet Arnav!" She gushed. "Did you make it?" He laughed. "Er…not really….The people at Dominos made it…But I heated it up!" He smiled, proudly. She chuckled. "Oh! Well, I still think it's sweet!"

"Don't say anything before trying it!" He warned. She nodded. "Understood!"

The pizza was delicious. The cheese melted in her mouth and it was made with all her favourite toppings.

"It's amazing Arnav…" She commented. He nodded. "Why thank-you! I'll take all the credit for it!" He winked. "By the way…. I heard your phone ring! Who was it?" She nearly dropped her pizza at his question.

"Um… it was… a-a friend…. College friend…he was angry that-that we didn't invite him to our wedding." She said, flustered. He sighed. "I know…. Our wedding was itself done on such short notice that we hardly had the time to inform anyone…." Khushi nodded, relieved. "Yes, that's exactly what I was trying to explain to him!" He glanced up at her, snapping his fingers. "You know what Khushi, I think we should go to his house! We should at least be courteous and explain the situation to him! It's only decent, right?"

Khushi gasped, shocked by Arnav's words. "N-No! There's no need for that Arnav! Really! I already told him!" He shook his head adamantly. "Well, I still feel it's my duty to apologize to him! We'll go tomorrow, ok? Right after I come home after work." Khushi was silent.

"What's the matter Khushi? You should be happy that you're going to meet your college friend! And perhaps even happier that I want to meet him!"

She bit her lips, thoughtfully. "Well…it's just that…I was hoping we could go out somewhere tomorrow…. You know? Just me and you? It'll be a nice way to get to know each other…." Arnav nearly choked on his pizza. Never in his wildest of dreams had he expected Khushi to utter these words! "Khushi…?" She gazed at him worried. "Yes?"

"Did you really just say that or was it my imagination?" She gave him a forced smile. "Of-of course we can go out tomorrow! We'll meet your friend another day then! Alright?" Khushi nodded. She gave a silent prayer of thanks to the lord above before continuing on her pizza.

They made small-talk for the rest of the meal. But Khushi's focus was elsewhere after that conversation and Arnav could sense that. Knowing that she was uncomfortable with the topic, he decided not to push it any further.

End

Ok, crappy update? Yea… I know… I don't think I did full justice to it… :/ Anyways, do tell me how u all liked it! And leave me with your likes and comments please! :D

Love,

Sanju

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