SS: Wooing Khushi: Part 11 updated on Page 147 - Page 9

Part 2

The next morning Khushi woke up and went inside the bedroom to deposit the bundle of quilts and pillow in the wardrobe. The sound of the wardrobe opening and closing woke up Arnav and he sat up slowly on the bed. 'Hi Khushi, Good Morning…slept well?', he was stretching, his T-shirt clinging to the chiselled body, drawstring pajamas hanging dangerously low on his hips. Khushi gulped at the sight, nodded at him, not trusting her ability to speak and fled to the washroom, grabbing a fresh saree and other necessities.

He was sure acting weird these days, she mumbled to herself in the shower. Acting lovey dovey in front of others was something she understood, but what was the point of asking her to sleep inside last night…As if she would sleep in the same room with him…And what about the sexy 'hi' this morning, not that she found him sexy, not anymore. Maybe someone was looking at them, she reasoned. Weird family this one definitely was, someone or the other would always be spying on them. She shrugged and stepped out the room. Arnav was sitting on the lounger, leafing through a file. He looked up, scanning her from top to bottom and smiled slowly. She squirmed, looking around the room, at the doors, certain that someone was there. A frown knitted her brows as she did not find anyone.

Arnav continued to stare at her, smiling all the time, further confusing her. She hurried to the dresser and finished getting ready. As she turned to leave the room to go down, Arnav caught hold of her hand, pulling her closer. 'Where are you running off to? Whats the hurry?'. 'I don't see anyone around, so there is no need for your drama', she tried pulling her hand back. He tightened his hold, 'Right, only Mr. and Mrs. Raizada in this room now'. He was running his thumb over his wrist now, gauging her pulse which was a little faster and smiled inwardly. Yeah, she was not immune to him, no matter how much she tried to act otherwise.

'Chhoriye humey, let me go', Khushi could hear herself, panicking now. She found it so hard to think, when he was this close. 'Why, are you scared?', he threw a challenge, knowing perfectly well the way she would react. 'Of course not,'she tossed back, 'why should I be scared?'. 'I dunno, you tell me', Arnav knew he was making her really angry now with what she perceived as uncalled for drama. Lowering his head, he placed a loud, wet kiss on her wrist, making her jump. He stood up, letting go of her and sauntered to the bathroom.

A furious Khushi walked down the stairs to the mandir for the morning arti, cursing the Laad Governor and his stupid games, all the while, under her breath. He had to have the upper hand in every damn thing, including her mind. She would just avoid being alone in a room with him, from now on. That should tell him.

Arnav joined the family for breakfast, glad to see everyone gathered, esp., NK and Anjali. These two were vital for his plan to be successful.. It was time for the game to start.

His wife was resolutely looking away after serving his breakfast. He looked at Akash, 'I hope you remember about your trip Akash, please inform Aman about your forthcoming meetings so that he can take care of them, in your place." 'Trip, bhai?', Akash was clueless and did not look too thrilled at the idea of going on a business trip, leaving his wife behind.

'Yeah, trip…we spoke about it before your wedding and all the arrangements have been made, don't tell me that you have forgotten about it. How can you forget Akash, its your honeymoon trip, you guys are newlyweds right?.". Akash's eyes lit up….Honeymoon, oh yeah, he wanted to kiss brother but controlled the urge.

'Payal, Akash had said that you have never seen snow before, so I have arranged for you two to stay in the Apple Valley resort in Manali, I heard it is still snowing there. I am sure you will love being there'. Payel smiled gratefully at her Jethji, he was giving her a chance to be away from the eagle eyes of her Mother-In-law who right now was looking as if she has sucked a lemon. Days away from RM, with Akash, she would be happy in Sahara desert. And snow, Khushi and she had always dreamt of visiting a place where it snowed. She recalled Khushi lamenting about the Nainital trip and how she could not see a single speck of snow there. Khushi, yes Khushi should also come with them, Khushi and Jethji, she thought with a fond smile, Jethji who was not a Rakshahs at all.

'Woh Bhai…I was thinking..', before Akash could finish, NK piped up, 'But Nanav aren't you forgetting something, you and Khushiji are newlyweds too, shouldn't you also go on a honeymoon?' 'Yes, chotey, you and Khushiji should go too. Why don't the four of you go together? I am sure you can take time out for this. In fact I insist, what do you say Nani?'. , Arnav smiled inwardly, yes he could always count on NK and his Di.

'That's what I was about to ask Bhai, hai na Payal?'

'Well I don't know about that, its all upto Khushi now, if she wants to go, we would definitely go. otherwise ,its ok with me'. Arnav happily passed the buck to Khushi.

Arnav caught Khushi's eyes, furious, promising him all kinds of hell, as every eye turned to her. 'Chalona Khushi, it will be so much of fun.' 'Yes Khushiji, I want Bhai and you with us'. 'Of course, you should go Khushi bitiya.'Khushi looked around helplessly as NK and Anjali joined the melee, even the taciturn Mamji giving suggestions. Not to be left behind, Mamiji started lecturing Payal about the 'do's' and 'don'ts' to be followed in an upper class place like the resort in Manali.

His job done, Arnav pushed away the chair and stood up, delivering the final salvo for the time being. 'Oh one more thing, Payal and Khushi, you will both need warm clothing, shoes, jackets and other stuffs, etc. It will be very cold in Manali. Di, would you please take these two out for shopping and buy whatever they like?'

'And Khushi, buy some stuffs in red please, you know how much I love to see you in red'.

(To be contd..)

I am not too happy with this part...let me know what you think...

ah nice plan