IPKKND SS: Fraternizing With The Enemy[Chapter 4] - Page 9

Khushi had a tough time sleeping that night. His words rung in her ear and she kept pondering over what exactly he had meant. Her father had never mentioned anything about Rakesh's family having enemies. Yet he had seemed very serious when he had told her that he would be there to protect her.

She was supposed to pick her wedding outfit the next day and that would require a lot of time. Hence she decided to go to sleep.

...

Khushi toyed with her breakfast as the task of spending the majority of the day with him loomed over her. She felt strange whenever she was near him and she didn't like it one bit. She decided to play his game and did not speak a word to him during the entire drive to the boutique. He in turn, had absolutely no reaction and she fumed inwardly at his indifference.

She walked into the boutique, least interested in choosing her wedding clothes, when an idea struck her.

"Mr. Raizada, Amma couldn't come with me today so I'll be needing your opinion on the outfits. Is that ok with you?"

She gave him her sweetest smile and batted her eyelids. His eyes narrowed considerably but he nodded none the less.

Khushi smiled triumphantly before heading towards the exclusive section, determined to get some kind of reaction from him.

After a good deal of sifting, choosing and discarding, she took four outfits into the trial room.

...

Khushi stepped out of the trial room in her first outfit. It was a bright green sari with intricate self designs. It was made of a really heavy quality silk and Khushi was struggling to walk straight in it. Once she had gotten control over the sari, she looked up to see Arnav staring at her. One first glance it would seem like he was just as indifferent as before but upon closer inspection, she saw a strange light in his eyes. It was a momentary flicker and was gone almost as soon as it had come. But Khushi took it as an encouraging sign and went back in to change.

The second outfit was much easier to handle. It was a deep blue lehenga with a full sleeve silver choli. The dupatta was a lighter shade of blue and it had delicate silver bead work on it. Khushi stepped once again and was satisfied on seeing the slightly stunned look in his eyes.

Well, well Mr. Raizada. Not so indifferent now, are we?

She did a small twirl and raised her eyebrow enquiringly. He cleared his throat and nodded stiffly, before going back to his phone.

Khushi began changing into the third outfit, feeling triumphant. This was a pale, peach coloured sari with heavy work on it. Not as heavy as the first one she had worn but not as comfortable as the second one either. She fixed her pallu and stepped out for the third time. This time he wasn't caught so unawares and nodded almost as quickly as she had come out and returned to answering a few messages on his phone.

Khushi glared at his back and went back inside. She held up the last outfit and smirked. She would see how he could stay without reacting when he saw her wearing this.

...

Arnav Singh Raizada tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for her to come out and show off her final outfit. He had definitely been taken by surprise the first couple of times but he had quickly schooled his features to not reveal his reactions. But he was not that lucky this time.

She walked out of the trial room, self consciously rubbing her palms along the length of her arms. She was having second thoughts about wearing this outfit. It was a tad bit too revealing and she didn't like the fact that she feeling embarrassed.

He caught his breath as she walked out. She was wearing a blood red lehenga which flared magnificently at her feet. Her jet black choli was a good two inches above her naval and he gulped as he observed how it contrasted with her milky white stomach. Her waist was slim but beautifully curved and the feathery black silk dupatta hung from her left shoulder as she tried in vain to cover herself a bit more. Her hair had been put into a hastily done up bun and his fingers itched to run through her silky tresses.

Khushi observed the strange look in his eyes and she took a step back in anticipation. Arnav took measured steps towards her as if in a trance and she felt her heart beat accelerate. The look in his eyes was making her heart melt and her breathing became shallow as he slowly closed the distance between them.

He extended his hand towards her and she instinctively closed her eyes. She felt his hand on the clip that was holding up her hair and in one instant, he had unclasped it, sending her hair cascading down her back.

Arnav watched as her hair opened, further highlighting her beauty. Unfamiliar emotions were swirling through him and the slightly apprehensive look in her eyes only heightened them.

Before things could get out of hand, Khushi quickly asked him which outfit she should choose. She was stunned to hear his already husky voice come out hoarsely.

"Red is my favorite color."

...

Khushi had been too flustered to purchase anything. Here breathing had still not regulated and she couldn't forget the look in his eyes. She had rushed out of after changing into her own clothes without waiting for him. She was about to cross the road but her mind was elsewhere. She wasn't watching where she was going and didn't realise until too late that a big car was hurtling towards her. The relentless honks of the horn went unheard until she saw the car on top of her.

"UGH!"

...

Khushi opened her eyes to find herself lying on something hard. She thought back to why she was in such a position. She suddenly remembered the car speeding it's way towards her and looked around in shock. She realised that she was lying on top of Arnav whose arms were wrapped around her waist. She looked down and her eyes locked with molten brown ones. His intense gaze made goosebumps erupt on her skin and seemed to scorch her with the strength of emotion.

"Are you ok?"

Khushi's eyes widened as she noted the concern in his voice.

She nodded her head and shifted uncomfortably. He seemed to snap back into his senses and noted the position they were in. He quickly got up and dropped her unceremoniously in the process.

Khushi got up indignantly and was just about to give him a piece of her mind when he spoke in a dangerously low and harsh voice.

"Watch where you're going next time Ms. Gupta. I am not going to take the blame for your stupid actions."

...

Khushi sat on her bed and contemplated the days events. She had somehow managed to escape her mother's questions about her wedding outfit but she would have to go and purchase something very soon. But the thought of going back into that boutique made her heart beat furiously. His indifference, his intense gaze, his words and his actions. They confused her beyond anything and she was quite frightened by the fact that not once had it crossed her mind that she was getting married in a few day's time, and that too to another man. She decided to not think about him any further and resolved to ask her father to allow her to do the remaining preparations on her own.

She walked down and was startled to receive a warm hug from her mother and an approving nod from her father. She looked around in bewilderment, wondering why they were so happy. Her mother smiled at her brightly before pointing to a large packet from the boutique she had visited earlier in the day. Khushi's eyes widened and she tried very hard to find some reason to explain it's appearance.

"It's ok bitiya. Mr. Raizada explained to me that you had left the package in his car earlier. So that's why you were so hesitant when I asked you about it? You thought you had lost it?"

Khushi still hadn't grasped the situation but smiled anyway.

"You've chosen very well bitiya. It is certainly what a Gupta daughter should wear for her wedding. I am proud of you."

Khushi nodded at her father's words and took the package which her mother handed over to her. She made her way upstairs and opened the package in her room.

She gasped as the black and red lehenga choli tumbled out onto her bed. Inside was a long piece of paper and attached to it was a note. She opened the note and read it.

I've attached the bill. Pay me back later.

Khushi smiled brightly as her heart lightened considerably. She giggled after reading the note for the third time and hugged the outfit to herself. All thoughts of keeping him away from herself vanished as she went to sleep with a wide grin on her face.

...