Chapter I: The trap
"Stay away from me, she said," he said aloud and sneered, as he saw her beat a hasty retreat to the living room. "She'll be back, begging for forgiveness, by the end of today if not earlier."
Her stammer was a dead giveaway. He knew she wouldn't hold out for long. Heck! There weren't too many who'd been able to resist his charm before, even the sophisticated women in his past had fallen, and hard! Khushi, poor girl' she was so innocent and nave, yet brave' but, so unprepared for it, tsk!
He strode towards his room' he'd done his bit, laid the trap' and she'd bitten the bait. He smiled to himself as he thought about how his mention of the bet had her all riled up' his li'l kitten turned into a tigress when threatened. Wonder how that would translate into the bedroom' oh how he'd love to know!
He'd been as surprised when he saw her at the door, and said "hi'"
Her eyes had widened in surprise. She'd taken her time to gather her wits before replying "Namaste..." softly. He loved that she'd stammered when he asked her if she'd come over to drop off stuff' first, a no and then a yes'
She'd gulped and then inched away from him, steering clear as she passed him' but he could feel her jagged breath. It amused him to no length, but her reaction to his nearness was a boost to his ego. Ok, so it was a boost he didn't need' but so what! If only she knew what her nearness did to him!
"Khushi'" he'd called out as she walked on' just once had been enough, to stop her in her tracks. She'd turned to face him, that confused look in her eyes, a furrow in her brow as he'd walked towards her. For a change, she wasn't stepping back.
Good! He closed the distance between them, his gaze holding her captive. He caressed her hand as he picked it up and drew it towards him. Opening her palm with the gentle pressure of his thumb, he'd placed her earring gently with his other hand.
Her eyes said it all' the same thoughts were running through her head as she looked into his eyes' reliving the moments from yesterday when he'd stood in the distance and indicated that she was missing an earring. She'd never know how she lost it.
He smiled again' the earring was a reminder of that passion they'd enjoyed in each other's arms, on stage' when he'd made love to her with his eyes, his hands on her bare back, waist, and neck' and she'd looked at him, dazed as he led her through the dance... closing her eyes at one point, in surrender.
Arnie boy' time to take your game to the next level. "I know what you're thinking," he'd said softly.
"Me? Think'?" she'd asked. And then he'd moved in'. reminding her about their bet and that it wasn't over yet. And sure enough, she'd had jumped right in, slightly hesitant at first, gathering her wits perhaps' as she set the record straight' and qualified her win, as if quoting a rulebook.
"Hahaha!" he laughed aloud, for the fourth time, as he recalled her speech!
Rules were for the nice guys, not Arnav Singh Raizada! He hadn't gotten to where he was playing by the rules. Ok, he hadn't broken them' that's not how Ma and Papa had brought him and Di up, but he sure had bent a whole lotta them on the way!
And like they said' all is fair in love and war. Whoa' hang on buddy' did you just think the four-letter word? Nah! It's probably lust, no, definitely lust' and some concern, respect and admiration. Not love' ha!
He switched his laptop on and tried to concentrate but found his thoughts drifting back to their dance. He felt a rush of desire, his body hardened in response' Gosh! He needed fresh air.
He slid the door open and stepped out. Maybe he'd tend to his plants... and that would take his mind off her' maybe?
And then he saw her, pacing by the pool, frantic, babbling to herself in her inimitable style, her hands moving around in the air. "I'll apologize for my behaviour' I didn't mean what I said. And I sure didn't want you going away' nor do I want you to stay away and never show your face again."
He hid from her view, leaning against the tree, with his arms folded and unable to wipe the smirk off his face.. Let her sweat it out' didn't take too long, eh?
She'd stopped pacing now, as if that would help her clear her head. "Honestly, I just want you back' I'm sorry, from the bottom of my heart."
The child-like delight was back in her voice, as if she'd just solved a big puzzle! "Oh yeah' that's what I'm going to say!" As she lifted her hand to call his phone, he saw her head turn back slowly.
He stepped out in full view, as she turned to face him. His scared li'l kitten was staring at him' speechless, her ragged breath and rapid pulse at the base of her throat, speaking volumes.
He smiled. "Arnie boy, it's payback time' time to reel her in'" His heart beat an unsteady tempo, and he felt a rush of blood to a familiar place.
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Chapter 2:
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/52427812
Chapter 3:
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/53558451�
Chapter 4:
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/53735360�
Chapter 5:
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/53914579�
Chapter 6:
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/53997452�
Chapter 7:
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/54348227�
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This FF is dedicated to the episodes of 25/1 and 26/1, but that's where the similarity ends. I feel differently about how their love/ hate can be portrayed.
The links below represent my sincere efforts to capture the essence of the story I fell in love with.
His to take? (Arhi Marriage FF)
https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2793839&PID=53266234�
Tum theek ho na? (2-part SS)
https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2758856&PID=52566862�
And then he shut the door (OS)
https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2749279&PID=52266803�
All rights reserved.
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