SS : Aapki Pasand: Completed: Part VIII on Page 20 - Page 12

'What do you want me do now?, Khushi whispered, swallowing the scream that was threatening to rise. 'Just a kiss', Arnav brushed his lower lip with a long, lean finger, making his meaning very clear. 'Just?...and then you will not bother me anymore?

'Maybe….maybe not', came the enigmatic response. Oh, how she wished she could slap the arrogant,' I can get anything I want look' from his face. But now was not the time, buaji or amma or nani or Anjali might come here anytime. 'Ok then, a kiss it is'. Raising herself to her toes she planted a smacking kiss on his waiting mouth. Her lips were captured immediately, his tongue gaining entry. The kiss was hungry, never-ending. His tongue traced her lips, again pushed inside to engage in a fiery battle with her tongue. Khushi's head was spinning, blood rushing in her ears. He looked at her when she pressed closer, bringing their lower bodies together and they both gasped at the sweet pain it caused. Quickly assessing the situation, he pushed open the store-room door and stepped in, dragging Khushi along. Pushing her against the nearest wall, he pushed her pallu aside and nuzzled, his fingers making circles on the swelling flesh. He wanted to eat her whole; she was making him so crazy.

Suddenly catching the sound of tinkling bells coming closer, Arnav reluctantly broke apart, pushing Khushi away. Hating the interruption and the loss of contact, she looked down when she felt a tug on her pallu and gazed into a pair of limpid eyes. Laxmi looked back, chewing contentedly on the pallu. 'Saved literally by the bell', thought Khushi, wondering why she did not want to be saved this time. She actually loved being held by him, his mouth and hands doing things to her. 'You will not always be so lucky, Khushi…I am going to catch you all alone one of these days and then…', he promised softly, making her blush a fiery red.

'Can I ask you something…', Khushi asked, kneeling down to hold Laxmi, keeping her eyes downcast. 'Pucho…'

'Why are you doing this to me? Buying bangles, choosing saree, helping me to serve food, why Arnavji?, I don't understand'.'Myyyahhh', Laxmi added her two bits.

'Tumhe kya lagta hai?' What do you think? (English translations for Abavi…J)

'If I knew, I wouldnot ask, isn't this common sense too?', came an irritated response.

'And then in your room and now again here…why are you doing these things?' They might not have any meaning to you, but you…Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada, you have no right to play with me like this. Khushi looked up, fire in her eyes, her heart breaking at the thought of him playing with her feelings, crushing her feelings.

The specter of another night rose between them, the incomplete kiss, the announcement of his engagement, his harsh words.

Arnav sighed and pulled Khushi slowly to her feet, accepting the fact that the time for running away was over. He entwined his fingers with hers and brought her right hand and laid it on his heart. Khushi looked up, startled at feeling his heart beat rather fast under her fingers. 'Dhak dhak..dhak dhak..' went his heart and her eyes widened.

'Why is my heart beating so fast Khushi?' His voice was soft, oddly tender, as he looked down at her, trembling, in his arms.

'Why did I run to the temple to bandage your finger, why did I keep you anklet with me so long, why I went crazy at the thought you being in the ambulance the other night? Why I can't bear any man looking at you? Why so your tears rip me apart? Why did I buy bangles for you and why today, after a gap of so many years I wore this sherwani, Khushi, ?'

'Pata nahin…I don't know…', she buried her face in his neck, her arms going around his waist. Arnav sighed deeply, rubbing his chin on her forehead. She raised her head, the light of a thousand stars in her eyes and cupped his face gently.

Pulling down his head, she let her tongue trace his lips gently, slowly…'Khushi…', at his tortured groan, she caught his mouth in a kiss to seal the deal of her life, their life. Arnav breathed in her fragrance, at peace al last, the shackles on his heart falling free.

As usual your comments please...