AUTHOR'S NOTE: Even though his loved ones can see that Arnav has fallen badly in love with Khushi, it's the many years of hardening his heart that is making it impossible for him to also accept the same. His heart does take over when he sees her or touches her, but then when she is not around, he gets his head/mind back in control of the situation. Khushi, on the other hand, though more sentimental, is a complete innocent, and cannot understand these emotions that are overruling her hatred for the man that she believes he is.
Ab aage …
Anjali noticed the smile on Arnav's face as they settled down into their seats. She peered at him from her own window seat, across where Lavanya was fidgeting between them. Yes, he was definitely smiling and staring at absolutely nothing towards the aisle, his head thrown back on the back rest, completely oblivious of his surroundings. 'Could it be Lavanya', thought Anjali, the eternal romantic, as they settled into their seats. 'I must have a word with him, when I get him alone, soon,' she decided and turned to look out of the window as the plane began to taxi for takeoff.
'She not seeing Romeo,' Arnav said to himself for the millionth time since he had walked into the airport. He had gone through all the motions of checking in etc as if in a trance. No one else had mattered, and he had not seen or heard anyone though the entire time it had taken them to finally settle into their seats. Everyone and everything had lost its importance and had faded into the background, as Aman's words kept resounding in his mind constantly.
He shut his eyes, as he threw his head back on the back rest, and Khushi entered his thoughts as if a film had been switched on by remote. He saw in slow motion, Khushi raising her hand to his jaw on the terrace, Khushi asking if he was okay, Khushi checking his temperature in the middle of the night, lightly kissing his neck this morning as he tended to her burn…
The one-hour flight passed as if in seconds. It was later that evening when he was sitting outside his room, by the pool, engrossed with his laptop, that Di finally cornered him. 'Can I join you, Chote?' she did not wait for his response and settled down on one the chairs next to him.
'Haan, di,' he looked up from the screen at her, giving her a rare tender look. 'Chote, I was thinking…' Di started hesitatingly, as he continued to scowl at his computer screen. 'Hum nani se baat karen, Lavanya ke bare mein … its been some time now, and she seems to have gotten used to having Lavanya in the house,' she trailed off, waiting for a reaction from Arnav.
'Huh?' Arnav looked distractedly at his sister, wondering what she was planning now. 'Don't be obtuse, Chote… I'm talking about making Lavanya the Raizada daughter-in-law. I think nani is not too averse to the idea … and I see neither do you seem to be,' she added, tongue in cheek.
'What is this Di,' Arnav shut down his computer and turned towards her, 'I told you, both Lavanya and I are not interested in marriage, then why is this being brought up again and again.' "It's being brought up, because I can see that you, my innocent Chote, are very much in love,' she reached out and pulled his cheek.
'In love??' Arnav spluttered, backing away from her hand, annoyed at where this conversation was heading. 'Whoever gave you that idea?' he added shoving Aman's similar comments to the back of his mind.
'Really, chote!' Di added playfully. 'I have been watching you since we came back from the wedding … you are different…' 'Chalo, shut your eyes,' she reached out and closed his eyes keeping her hands over them … 'tell me the truth … what do you see'. Arnav groaned inwardly as images of Khushi entered his mind and music started playing along with it, as if on demand. 'There…' Di clapped her hands in glee, as she had noted his change of expression. 'Tell me now?'
'Its nothing Di,' He rasped, angry for letting his heart get control again. 'I told you once, that I am not interested in falling in love…' 'And I told you, that you will have no choice, brother dear...' Di cut him mid sentence, dropping the subject for the time being. She would get it out of him, if it was the last thing she would do. After all, she had always wished for someone for Chote, who would make him forget his past and bring down the walls he had built around his heart over the years.
**
Khushi arrived alone to Delhi, for the reception. Babuji had suddenly taken ill. Maybe the pressure of the wedding, the doctors had told them. It was decided that Khushi would travel alone and she would stay with Payal for a few days and attend the reception too on their behalf.
She had called jiji, assuring her that babuji was okay and just needed rest, and fixed up her plan. Payal had promised to pick her up at the station. Aware of Khushi's reservations about being near ASR, she had also told her that she and Akashji were staying alone at their farmhouse in Chattarpur these days. The reception was to be held there too, so Khushi would only meet the rest of the family, on that day, she added reassuringly.
Now standing at the platform with her suitcase, Khushi looked around the crowds searching for jiji or Akashji. And that is how Arnav saw her, dressed in a simple pale green chickankari churidaar kurta, hair braided and looking anxiously about her, searching for familiar faces. He had been angry at nani for insisting that he pick up Khushi and drive her to the farmhouse. It would have been a long drive for Payal and Akash from the farmhouse to the station and easier if he did it, as he was in any case going to the farmhouse later to see to the arrangements for the evening. He had tried to get Lavanya to accompany him, but she wanted to visit the beauty parlour for a couple of hours at least, she had whined. Surprisingly, nani had readily agreed with Lavanya on that one, Arnav thought suspiciously.
'Is that all,' he loomed behind her, making her jump back. He was looking at her single suitcase pointedly.
'You??' Khushi blurted automatically… 'where's jiji? Is she okay?'
'Yes, she is okay,' he spoke if speaking to a two year old, which rankled Khushi even further. 'I was this side, so came instead,' he lied, wanting to get out the crowds into the air-conditioned comfort of his car. "Chalen?" he asked her sarcastically raising his eyebrows.
'Haan toh chalo,' Khushi fumed, 'humne kab roka hain'. She had to all but run to keep up with him as he took long strides towards the entrance. As they neared the doors, half of which were blocked by police barriers, creating a small crowd of people there, Arnav instinctively put Khushi ahead of him. As they tried to wade their way through the public moving as a herd out of the small opening, Khushi felt herself being pushed back into his broad chest and being secured within his out-stretched arms, as he protected her from the people rubbing themselves into her.
Within seconds, they were out in the open, both trying to be nonchalant about the moments of awareness that they had just shared. 'This way', Arnav started walking towards where the car was parked, and once again Khushi cursed him, as she barely managed to keep up.
The tension inside the car could have been cut with a knife, as they both sat quietly next to each other. He only asked her once about how her father was, and that was it. 'If he hates me so much, why the hell did he agree to come pick me up,' Khushi fumed, staring out of the window all the time. 'She is just a disaster waiting to happen,' thought Arnav, 'and its better if I stay away and stay focused.'
The farmhouse was a small two-storey house set amid sprawling picturesque lawns. The long winding drive was filled with workers, hanging up flowers and lights on all the trees. Another lot was lining the path with small lanterns that would be lit later tonight.
Khushi watched in awe all the activity around her. The serene beauty of this place did not skip her attention through the entire bustle. She suddenly looked forward to spending some time alone at this place. It was heaven, and not at all like the imposing Raizada mansion.
Arnav practically dumped her at the doorstep, and reversed the car towards the garage. 'So, even I am not dying to be with you, lord governor,' Khushi muttered, promptly forgetting him as she saw payal jiji rush towards her.
**
Khushi twirled around in joy when jiji showed her the guest room that was to be hers. Not only was it HUGE, it had one full wall of bay windows opening out into the pool and lawns beyond. It was simply magical, Khushi thought, admiring the serene view. Sitting out there at night, as was a habit with her, would be so so wonderful. Jiji's room was on the first floor, affording privacy to the newly weds. Khushi walked out on to the poolside from her room, looking around her in awe. 'That's the study and then Arnav's suite', jiji pointed to one side of the guestroom. Khushi saw similar bay windows also opening out on to the pool. 'Thank god, he will not be staying here', she told herself as she pictured herself bumping into him all the time, in this small place.
From the study windows, Arnav watched as Payal showed Khushi around the poolside, and lawns beyond. He marveled at the innocent joy reflected on Khushi's face as she took in the beauty of her surroundings. He had always taken this place for granted. Of course, it had always been his retreat away from family matters and work pressures, but no one knew that. Jaiprakash walking in with the caterers took his attention to work back at hand, and Arnav got involved in the preparations for the evening.
A lunch tray was taken into the study, ensuing that Khushi had no encounter with the Lord Governor anymore, and she enjoyed her time with jiji completely. Akash too had joined his brother in the study leaving the sisters alone.
**
The black silk lehnga was laid out on the bed along with a simple black and gold choli and net crystal studded dupatta. It had been stitched from an old sari of amma's and Khushi loved the simple repetitive paisley pattern on the skirt. The choli had been made out of the pallu, so was a little more adorned. She planned to wear the same gold jewellery that she wore for the wedding, and since she was a guest today, strappy gold high-heel sandals.
Jiji had left her a short while ago, as a beautician had been called home to get her dressed for the evening. She had suggested that Khushi get dressed so that the lady could then come and help Khushi with her hair also after she had tended to Payal. Left alone, Khushi decided to indulge in a luxurious bath in the sunken tub she had seen in the bathroom. Now this is something I could get used to, Khushi thought wickedly, as she lay back in the warm scented waters.
Catching sight of the watch, about forty-five minutes later, Khushi hurried out to get dressed expecting the beautician to come anytime now.
She had barely managed to put on her clothes, when there was a knock at the door. 'Aa jao,' she called out thankful of the lady's arrival, as she needed help to tie the threads of her coli, which she was now struggling with.
Arnav stood in stunned silence at the door, as he saw her standing near the bed, with her bare back towards him Her long hair had been untidily tied up in a bun from which wet ringlets escaped towards her neck. Her arms, bare of all jewellery, were struggling with the ties of her blouse, which had no back at all. Arnav swallowed uncomfortably. His eyes traveled to her waist, where there was glittering a slim gold chain, calling his attention to the slimness that he could have fitted in the palm of one hand. The skirt fell over those full hips, hugging every curve, down to the floor where it was gathered next to a pair of sinfully high heels. His tortured gaze went towards the steam still gushing out of the open bathroom door, and Arnav clenched his fists, as images of her in the bath started to run havoc on his system.
'Thank god, you are here,' Khushi's voice brought his wandering thoughts back, 'I need help with this first.'
Shutting the door behind him slowly, Arnav walked quietly towards her, his eyes never leaving her slender form. Ignoring all the urgent warnings that his head was giving him to leave the room, he reached up and took the strings from her hands, gently brushing her back with his knuckles as he fumbled to tie the knots for her.
Khushi froze! She knew that touch! What was he doing here? Was she decent enough? She stared wildly at the bed in front of her, not knowing what to do next. She prayed to her goddess to give her legs the strength to not collapse into him again. She could feel his warm breath on the nape of her neck as he concentrated on the task at hand.
She did not realize what a task it was for Arnav to continue knotting those flimsy strings all the time aware of her warm responsive body that a part of him was silently willing to fall back into his embrace.
Another knock at the door broke the moment and an alarmed Khushi turned in panic towards the door, inevitably falling backwards on the bed taking Arnav, who tried to steady her, along with her.
Khushi felt her breathing stop, as she fell back on the bed with an unceremonious thump. Her arms wound around Arnav's neck pulled him on top of her as he tried to brace his arms on either side so that his weight would not fall on her completely.
She could feel the crystals on her spread dupatta biting into her back as she started into his dark eyes, hanging on to his neck with both her arms. Her eyes widened in fear as she watched his eyes move from her eyes down to her lips, and then his face coming closer as if wanting to touch them to his own.
'Arnav,' she whispered drawn to his magnetic gaze, as one hand stole from around his neck to touch his lips. It was the touch of her hand on his lips that finally brought Arnav to his senses. Lifting himself off her, he stood with his back to the bed, reining in his racing heart, lest she see his weakness. 'Di had asked me to come and see if you were comfortable or needed anything,' he croaked. God! Was that his voice! He wondered mortified.
And without turning to give her a second glance, he stormed out of the room, ignoring the questioning look of the hairdresser waiting out side the room.
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
15