ArShi:Destiny With TRAILER Thread I - Page 38

Chapter 11

Monday July, 4, 2011

11.30 AM, Gotts Park Mansion House, Leeds, England

How to eradicate the devil incarnated (Arnav Singh Raizada) from the face of this earth so that he doesn't play with any seventeen year old girls' hearts:

1. Lure him away from the mansion and unleash the neighbour's pit-bull dog to feast on his insides (though that would seriously injure the dog's taste buds to bite such a bitter person)

2. Lock him in his room and tell everyone that he has left, and then starve him till his tongue hangs out.

3. Deprive him of his favorite wine (he seems to be very fond of that and can become cranky when not served.)

4. Contact a hit man (and then land up in jail myself… for some reason, this list seems more endangering to myself than to the devil… urgh!)

5. Tie him, feed him mounts of candy and wait till he jumps out of his room window in the sudden sugar rush (but that may only result in broken bones and this insufferable prick may even land on his feet considering his size!)

6. …. Piss him off, extract revenge and make him suffer (which he seems to be mastering at right now!)

7. Strip him and make him run around the entire house (maybe naked!) till he realises how cold stings the skin and catches hypothermia.

8. Send him a threatening email and demand him to ship himself to the Sahara Desert in order to save his life.

9. Find if Voldermort exists and convince him that this Devil is yet another descendent of Harry Potter's lineage and Avada him (though, he is older than Harry Potter… wait, is he?)

10. Convince Karan and Varun to move the Devil's belongings on to the front lawns along with his bed (and of course, him in the bed, maybe even tied and naked!) and record it, distribute it on YouTube.

God, Khushi… you have finally lost it, she mumbled to herself. She pulled her legs tighter against her chest on the sofa. If anyone saw this list, she would be making her first and last trip (to anywhere) to the mental ward of a psychiatric hospital. That's why she was writing it in the not so secret main living room where no one ever comes, she chastised herself. She pushed her novel up to block her face and re-read her list that was perched inside the novel. She silently laughed at her herself; she never thought she could ever be caught writing such absurdity.

"Sunshine…" mami ji cooed from the top of the stairs and startled Khushi. For some reason, she still wasn't used to her new nick name. She quickly hid the list in new novel and shut it tightly. Manorama fluttered down the stairs but before Khushi could open her mouth, another person, correction, the devil came skipping down as well, "What sunshine… the weather looks like shit!" he exclaimed as he perched himself on the sofa opposite to Khushi. Khushi shot him death glare that could drop any living being dead. He was dressed in a casual black T-shirt and dark blue jeans. If Khushi wasn't planning his early demise, she would have admitted that no one made clothes look that good. Usually it was the other way around… well, at least with her. She looked down to what she was supporting: black leggings and an apostrophe sweater in a blush color. "Sunshine," mami ji said to catch her attention, "oh my, what are you reading?" She eyed the book and Khushi spoke, "uh, just a novel… no big deal." Khushi placed the book on her lap and shot Arnav another hateful look. He, however, never look up from the thick folder he was currently studying. She engaged Manorama in a conversation because she was tired of being holed up in her room but she was rather terrified at the thought of breathing the same air as the devil.

The last two days had been exactly like that. Arnav and Khushi seemed to be playing hide and seek. Khushi got up and walked into the kitchen to get a drink of water, and muttered, "Devil." Arnav's folder slipped from his hands when he heard her curse… was it for him… again? He shot her retreating back an amused yet shocked look. He blinked a few times and shook his head. What was wrong with this girl?

Ever since she shot him her first loathing look two days back, she had been muttering under breath and she thought he didn't notice. Oh contraire, he did!

Initially, he was baffled at her behavior. It was childish but at the same time, it was intriguing. The first time he noticed her curse him was at the dining table two nights ago. She had muttered 'ferret' while she passed by him. He had dropped his wine glass when heard her sudden 'endearment'. Moreover, he was aggravated that she could make him fumble. Did Anjali mention something to her? What could possibly have her so judgemental towards him?

She was fine with his family in fact, more than fine. Hell, she got along with everyone like fire, but she was stone cold towards him. It did entertain him to great lengths to see her antics.

But unknown to him, he was now paying more attention to her ungodly behavior. He had resorted to staring at a blank sheet of paper that he currently possessed in his hand. He had seen her fire daggers in his direction while she talked to his aunt. He also witnessed her continual need to grip her sweater's arm to keep it from displaying any part of her arm. Left arm. It had now turned faintly red at the persistent brush of the fabric against her delicate skin. What a creature, he muttered.

He shut the file. Idling in the living room was a pathetic excuse to solve the mystery called Khushi. Though he wondered why he was trying to figure it out in the first place. It wasn't as if it could hurt him but she was messing with his head and Arnav Singh Raizada preferred to keep sanity intact. Three more days of this noise and then he was back into his haven. He recollected when he saw her previously; it was precisely yesterday after lunch, when he had leisurely walked into the library. She was perched on the ledge of the U-shaped window; she was immersed in reading and so she didn't hear the door open. This time, she wasn't frowning or laughing or shooting him daggers… no, she was actually blushing. His eyebrows disappeared into his hairline and he wondered what could have her blushing like a cherry. Nothing descent, that's for sure, he mused. He had cleared his throat and watched her expression turn from a smile into a hard frown. Before he could get a form the word 'sorry', she had zoomed past him but his ears picked up a faint, "Jerk". He thought either she was crazy or either he had finally lost his own mind.

His chain of thoughts was broken by the inhabitant of his thoughts sitting opposite him. He made bewildered face at her; she was gobbling ice cream at the speed of the light. Was she the same girl he had seen going for her early morning runs for the past two days? She appeared to be a health freak; the creature devouring the strawberry ice cream in front of him seemed possessed with sugar!

"Of course, Akash and Payal… you guys need to stop fighting... only three more days until you are officially hitched!" Akash shot his fianc a puppy dog look and walked forward to hug her. She just shrugged him off as she sat in down next to Khushi. "Babe, listen to Khushi… this kind of man candy," he pointed to him, "isn't easy to tame down." In the next moment, Khushi and Payal had attacked him, pinned him on the couch until he begged his brother, "What kind of a brother are you? Help me out here, I am hopelessly outnumbered here." Before Arnav could speak, the creature, Khushi cut him, "Please, I don't think that someone who cannot function without his assistant, or his driver, or his help, or his building lift man could possibly help you." She huffed and let Akash go.

The chit of this creature… girl… freak… whoever she is, thought Arnav in an angry tone.

"What the," he said and sat in a shocked expression. Payal simply laughed along with Akash at Khushi's statement. "She has got a point," Akash pointed at Arnav.

Arnav rolled his eyes and let it slide, again. "Listen, about this rehearsal dinner tonight, is it okay if I skip it, I have rather important Skype call and conference tonight and I cannot possibly miss it." Arnav spoke completely ignoring Khushi, who sat facing away from him with her left leg perched on her right. "What!" Payal exclaimed, "Don't you dare miss it, I don't care whether if the president of America calling you to ask you about your day, I will not be tolerating it. You are seated up with the family so I expect to see you there!"

Payal livid with anger quickly rushed up the stairs while Khushi tugged along with her but not without her complimentary glare. "Mate, don't you dare skip the dinner or else she will have a rabid dog feeding on my intestines. And let's face it, I will die and she will find someone else, but I won't rest in peace and," Akash got up from his position and screamed in a pitch shriek, "I will haunt you forever." He pointed at Arnav and fixed his glasses. The entire house was buzzing with excitement already so Arnav's pleas would have fallen upon deaf ears. Akash skipped past the living room towards his mother and Arnav simply murmured, "Great."

----

4.50 PM, Gotts Park Mansion House, Leeds, England

Khushi showered in leisure… all the thoughts dissipated from her mind. She almost fell asleep in the bath tub until the water turned cold as ice. She wrapped a towel around herself and blow dried her hair after stepping into her room. It now fell as waves and framed her face. She applied a sheer layer of foundation, created a smoky eye effect with a black eye shadow and glossed her lips with a tinted pink lipstick. Lastly, she slipped into her Lace to Midnight Dress. Her entire back was exposed in a black sheer lace up that reached till her waist; the front was halter neck with black lace neck, shoulders and full sleeved lace arms. Quite happy that she had the brains to pack a few formal dresses, she gave a satisfied smile.

After an hour of the pretty shenanigans, she sat on her bed and finally slipped on her bright scarlet peep toe heels. By now, she was tired. She walked towards her dresser and slipped a few bangles and red rose studs. Alright, ready to face everyone, and be calm, she scolded herself.

On the other side of the door, she saw her best friend perched on the sofa. She was adorned in a simple yet body fitting black dress that reached her knees as well. Anjali whistled and spoke, "And why don't you have a date tonight." Khushi placed her hands on her hips and spoke, "Since you have a date, and so does everyone else, doesn't mean I am alone!"

"I am just saying, you could get anybody tonight," Anjali held her hands up and walked towards Khushi. "Well, I would like to see your date…" Khushi winked at Anjali. "Of course," Anjali smiled and they both headed down to the main living room. "Oh, before I forget," they both halted on the last few steps, "you are sitting up with us on the table while everyone is seated with their families in front of us." Khushi scrunched up her face, "but I thought..."

"Yes, but since we have an extra seat, I would like you to sit up there… you don't even know anybody that well."

"Alright," Khushi shrugged her shoulders and skipped down the steps towards the living room. The dress code required everyone to dress up in black, white, or red. She was surprised herself when she was informed about the rehearsal dinner but Payal was adamant on having a rehearsal dinner for her guests. Apparently, her mother had wanted a big fat Indian wedding for her only daughter. When Payal had discovered her mother's plan of having mehndhi, sangeet and the wedding, she was over whelmed with stress. However, her mother had bribed Payal with this rehearsal dinner and so here everyone was dressed in their finest, and attending this function.

"Wow, Khushi… is that you!" mami ji gushed towards the pair of best friends and hugged them both. "Anjali you look stunning as well but my my, Khushi… you look absolutely amazing."

"Thank you mami ji… your black sari is gorgeous… you may be the most stunning woman tonight," Khushi winked at Manorama and earned herself a smack as well as a hug. "Okay, do we know where the bride and the groom are?" Anjali asked impatiently.

"Do not ask… Akash is trying to woo his bride just days before their wedding… this boy needs to learn how to treat his fianc." Manorama spoke in a disapproving tone. "Mami ji… I think it is safe to say that your boy has found himself someone who can straighten his ways!" Khushi laughed along with Anjali. Manorama excused herself to check on any last minute changes.

Khushi stood back and gazed at the elegant dcor infused with Indian touches. It simply looked breathtaking; the entire grand room appeared as if a set from one of the Bollywood movies. Just when she was about to walk up to the sofa's where most of the relatives seated, Akash came down with his fianc. They both complemented each other with him in black tux and her in a red dress.

"Thank you for gracing us with your presence," Anjali said in an exasperated sigh, "I am going to inform aunt that you have finally descended from the confines your respective rooms."

"Sooo," Khushi drawled on and eyed Payal, "someone looks completely ravishing… although I am assuming you have been ravished already by the flush and satisfied look on your face," she whispered to Payal and gently nudged her. "So, ready?"

"Of course, Miss Khushi stop harassing my fianc… although you look quite the diva yourself," Akash threw his arm over Khushi's shoulder and with the other hand he clutched his chest, "I swear, if Payal wasn't my fianc, we could have had something something going on." Khushi slapped his chest and rolled her eyes. She was clearly used to the constant one-liners by Akash. "Future Mrs. Gill… please control your husband to be." Khushi maneuvered out of his hold and smiled as Akash kissed Payal's shoulder. She happily went ahead to greet the rest of the family. She was amazed at the amount of people already residing in the mansion. The thirty rooms in the mansion weren't enough for Anjali's entire clan and many were still residing in the lounges and other hotels nearby. She shook her head and continued to reflect on how grand their family lineage was!

She conversed with Karan and Varun about their latest mischief that they had pulled on the Devil because she had convinced them. "No, itching powder sounds too childish… we need to find something he really loves and go with that," she pondered hard. She was quite proud of herself and her side kicks. She wasn't realizing it, but she was turning into the old Khushi, who laughed and pulled pranks all the time. "So, I will think about the next one and we will plan to execute it soon." She gave them thumbs up.

----

6.35 PM, Gotts Park Mansion House, Leeds, England

Arnav tugged on his tie and lightly ran his hand through his hair. He was late, hell, he was beyond late now. His conference had taken most of his time and he hadn't realized how late it was until someone came up to inform him that everyone was already getting seated. Since his room was on the opposite side of the mansion, he had no view of the back. He literally was tired of the wedding… and it hadn't even begun yet.

"Let's hope Akash's insides are safely intact," he murmured as he slipped on his deep brown leather designer shoes. He eyed into the mirror and tucked his black shirt into his dress pants and buttoned his black vest. He then hurriedly tucked his silk black tie into the vest, slipped his belt on, and finally slipped his black coat jacket on. He fingered and tugged on the red pocket hanky. Pleased with his appearance, he finally pushed his phone into his pocket and exited his room.

---

6.35 PM, Back Lawns of Gotts Park Mansion House, Leeds, England

The canopy on the back lawns of the mansion was beautiful. The night had descended upon them, surprisingly, since it was just summer. Khushi's was in awe by the acres and acres of lawns that sprawled till her eyes could take her. The forest started a bit further from the mansion. The night air was cool and fresh as Khushi walked further into the canopy. The inside was lit up with tasteful lights and circular tables were placed all around the space. At the front, Khushi spotted a long table with at least fifteen seats meant for the immediate family. The lighting was done according to the theme of the dinner and Khushi felt like the pages from her novels come alive in front of her. She stepped into the canopy and instantly her heels came in contact with hardwood flooring. She could smell the bubbly, frothy champagne being distributed along with different wines and other hard liquor.

These people are bloody rich, she murmured.

She was instantly grabbed by Anjali and tugged towards the head table as everyone was already seated. Khushi mutely followed Anjali and stood next to her seat. It was almost in the middle of the table. "Uh, Anjali… this is in the middle… I am not immediate family, I don't think…"

"Shush up…" Anjali put her finger on her lips and dictated with her eyes for Khushi to take the seat. Khushi quietly slipped into her seat. "Khushi, ,my date for the evening… Rishi, and Rishi this is my best friend, Khushi." Khushi noticed that Anjali was seated on her right side, while her left side seat was still unoccupied. Rishi sat beside Anjali on her other side. Khushi shook Rishi's hand a bit awkwardly since Anjali's form was blocking him. "Nice to meet you," she said. "Likewise," he spoke.

"Wow, he is hot!" Khushi whispered in Anjali ear and earned herself a wink from her best friend. The bride and groom made their entrance after everyone was seated. Loud hoots and clapping echoed throughout the entire atmosphere until they seated themselves. Khushi noticed how happiness was coursing through Payal; Akash simply kissed her cheek and smiled as well. Now, she began her ministrations… the middle of the table was occupied by the bride and the groom. Aunt and uncle were seated beside Akash while Payal's parents sat next to her. She was just two seats away from mamiji who gave Khushi an affectionate look. The seat next to mamiji was occupied by nani. The next seat was empty and then Khushi was occupying the next one. Then it was Anjali and Rishi. Anjali had bribed one of her cousins to sit somewhere else so that Rishi could sit next to her. And then other relatives occupied the rest of the seats.

"Who is missing…" she mumbled but her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden clinking of glass. She gripped onto her own champagne flute as uncle stood up and started, "Well, we have known the Sehgal's for as long as I can recall… I have watched them become our family friends, then I watched as their child, Payal, became friends with my two sons… And now, she is finally becoming one of our own… I just want to welcome her to our family and tell her that good luck dealing with us. Oh, and Akash, one word of advice since you are crossing the threshold with this beautiful girl. This advice was given to me by my own father, no matter what… your wife is always right!" Everyone laughed and raised their champagne flutes. Mamiji stood up next and spoke, "Payal had always been a daughter to me and now she becomes one of us by marrying my exceptionally not so handsome, son," everyone broke into a laughter spree, "and finally straitening his ways… welcome to our family, and thank you for taking this bloke's responsibility. My boy is all grown up," she sniffed and continued, "cheers to happy couple."

"Now, all I have left to see is my other son and daughter get married as well." This statement earned her a loud hooting from everyone else. "It seems like my other son is running late… Ah… there he is making his grand entry." She spoke loudly causing Khushi to jerk out of her dream like stupor.

Did she honestly forget the devil!

Arnav walked sheepishly towards the table, and hugged his aunt who smacked his arm, then his uncle, then angry bride and an equally angry brother. Finally after hugging his Nani, he slipped into his seat only to hear a "shit" someone hissed from beside him. He turned his head towards the seat on his right and felt his eyes widen in a surprise. Creature, his mind bawled… well, she is looking descent but still the psycho girl, he gritted his teeth.

"What an entry bro," Anjali whispered angrily from two seats over and he just shot her a glare. He looked straight ahead as the speeches from Payal's family droned on in the background. Of all the people, he had to be seated with her. He just wanted to hang himself. However, he looked from the corner of his eye, and saw the she was shifting her seat further and further towards Anjali. For a moment, he felt the dire need to direct her attention to the fact that he wasn't a monster and she was definitely not his meal! But, he bit his cheek from exploding at her.

For the next hour, he felt his brain's synapses snap, crack and pop. The light music in the background, or the incessant chatter, or the laughter wasn't helping either. And it was all because of this creature called Khushi. She seemed to be at a war with her plate, her fork, her glass and her food. For the hundredth time, she cut her food with anger and scrapped the ceramic plate, then jabbed hard into the chicken and stuffed it into her mouth. Arnav downed yet another glass of wine and lost his appetite. She however continued to butcher the already dead chicken and finished her glass of champagne as well.

Khushi was now furiously muttering under her breath and downed yet another glass of champagne. She had now lost count but her head felt better and slightly woozy as well. The fact that the devil was sitting beside her still bothered her, but maybe the alcohol had dulled her reaction to him. She slumped against the back of seat and happily sipped her champagne. The volume of the music was finally increased and couples were requested to move onto the dance floor. The entire head table, including Nani, was empty. The dance floor was built just in front of the head table, and it was rather huge. Still, couples occupied it and were dancing away the night. Arnav and Khushi had to log this moment as the most awkward moment they had ever experienced. Khushi, in order to ebb away the tension, sipped onto her champagne while Arnav fingered the rim of his watch. He couldn't even skip the event; he was practically as late as anyone could ever be.

"Arnav, why don't you ask Khushi for a dance," his Nani suggested as she came back to sit. Her legs were starting to ache. No, this must top the last moment… awkwardness and shock filtered their systems until his Nani nudged him, "Arnav, the poor girl is literally bored… just go for one dance."

Still instilled with manners, he politely nodded at his Nani, rose from his seat and buttoned his jacket. However much it irritated him, he held out his hand. "Khushi," his Nani brought the girl out of her reverie since she was again thinking, or day dreaming…whatever she did, he thought. Damn it, I am not going to eat you, he angrily flared his nostrils. He was about to retrieve his hand back when he felt her warm, bony hand slip into his. He firmly gripped her hand, slightly surprised at their first contact ever since he broke her fall. They both walked towards the dance floor and the DJ shifted the music to an even slower melody.

Khushi looked everywhere but at him, as Frank Sinatra's voice filtered around them, filling the atmosphere, "Strangers in the night exchanging glances; Wondering in the night what were the chances; We'd be sharing love before the night was through; Something in your eyes was so inviting; Something in you smile was so exciting; Something in my heart told me I must have you."

He would be extremely baffled for a long time at the next few instances that would occur between them. It started when unexpected Arnav twirled her and Khushi gazed straight into his eyes. With her heels on, she reached up to his ear but holding her gaze was harder than she thought. She shifted it back onto the ground as her head spun slightly. Arnav lowered his lips next to her ear and spoke slowly, "You know I eat the same food as you eat," he said. She knotted her brows and looked at him with a questioning look, "I just thought you had me mistaken for a monster that eats beautiful girls like you for his dinner," he murmured against her ear. When he twirled her again, she collided with his chest and his strong cologne clouded her head, her thoughts, and her eyes. She could clearly feel a strong lust dilate her pupils.

She found her voice and spoke in an angry tone but it came out as sultry, "well, for someone who is always feeding others lies and deception, I would hardly think anything coming out of their mouth is true." She said as she gawked into his eyes. "Really, such a pretty girl but such twisted thinking," he spoke in a sympathetic tone. At least, he was getting somewhere with her.

"Twisted thinking because you yourself live in a world where using things, using other people's emotions, and discarding people as material things is common… although you do try to portray yourself with such grandeur that you elude everyone into thinking that you are normal," she gritted her teeth. He was amazed at her audacity to question his existence and unbeknownst tightened his hold on her arm.

"I would really like to know which book is feeding you this garbage," he continued. She shook her head at his blatant lies, "It's not something you can digest, you will hate yourself by the end of it," she told him. Oh, how she wished to smack that smirk off of his face. "Have you been reading it, and hating yourself?" he questioned her with amusement. She didn't reply back as they continued to dance to their third song of the night. But to them, the rest of the world had evaporated. To Arnav, only his curiosity existed; to Khushi, only her hate existed. They were both standing on the brink of disaster while their bodies were increasing their distance and the space was slowly diminishing. He had to admit that she looked amazing tonight. Her dress showed enough yet it also hid enough. She wasn't the most beautiful person in the room but once his eyes halted on her, she seemed to be the only one he noticed. Her legs were toned and… he didn't want to finish the sentence.

"Tell me," he asked as Khushi glared at him, "is that why you are constantly pushing your sleeve down… because that book has shown you something you hate about yourself," he mocked her. "Ah," he clutched onto her left sleeve and lifted it up. Even though the black lace was covering her arm, he could clearly make out the brown scar running along her arm. "Is this something you are ashamed off?" he fingered the thin scar and Khushi instantly shuddered at the sudden cold enveloping her. How dare he touch her! How dare he mock her! How dare he probe at her scar!

She pushed him away with a lot of force and a shocked looked harboured his face. She muttered 'Ass' and left the dance floor, picked up yet another champagne flute and downed it. She wiped one stray tear that was running on her cheek and marched towards the mansion. Many guests had retired for the night and quite frankly Khushi was done with the god forsaken night as well. She quickened her pace.

Arnav stood shocked on the dance floor and eyed as Khushi drank more champagne and left the canopy. He had heard her curse him yet again. This time, however, something snapped inside him. Whether it was the sudden shove the stumbled him, or the alcohol or the irritating wedding atmosphere or the fact that he was quite tired of being judged by her, he just snapped. He was going to teach her a thing or two.

He also quickened his pace as well. "Khushi…" he yelled when he spotted her running up the stairs. She didn't stop and this fueled his already flaring temper. He jogged up the stairs when he heel broke and she stumbled back. He was quick and caught her from behind. After catching her breath, she yanked herself out of his hold and held onto the railing while standing on the last step. She took her heels off and proceeded to walk towards her room when she felt his fingers latch onto her forearm. She spun around and Arnav trapped her and pinned her against the wall; his fingers dug into her upper shoulders.

"What is your bloody problem, Khushi Kumari Gupta? You have been cursing me back and forth… what is your problem!!" he growled at her. She was numb by now. "Dam nit answer me woman!" he asked her and came dangerously close to her. This time, her scent hit his nostrils and calmed him slightly. It was a soothing scent of lilies fused with something minty. Khushi stared into his eyes and saw his pupils dilate until the pools of eyes were completely black. She shuddered at the sudden proximity of his eyes, his face, and his breath. His flared nostrils were almost touching the bridge of her nose, and their breaths were getting mixed with each other. She noticed that he had slight shadows underneath his eyes and his hair fell slightly on his forehead. She felt the urge to run her hand through them but she curled it into a fist.

"Answer me," Arnav murmured against her hair as he buried his face into it. He was getting dizzy with her scent. This brought Khushi out of her stupor and she felt bile rise from her throat. "Move," she yelled and pushed him away with all that she could muster. She felt sick, disgusted but anger swelled higher than all her other emotions. This brought Arnav out of his dreamlike state as well. Shocked at his behavior, he simply coiled his body away from her and collected his thoughts. Khushi simply shot him a disgusted look and left while the situation slowly dawned on Arnav

Arnav felt low and cheap. How could he pin her like that against her will? What was he thinking? In fact was he even thinking? He rubbed his eyes roughly and shook his head. It was wrong. "Shit!" he yelled in the empty hallway and tugged hard at his tie.

----

For the rest of the remaining hours, Khushi and Arnav stayed put in their respective rooms. Khushi was shaken up but proud that she faced him. She faced her fear and realized that he was nothing but an incentive person. She was amazed at herself for not shedding any tears for him. She knew that the alcohol she had consumed was part of the reason why she acted that way but she was still angry with herself for reacting instantly at his touch. However, her anger for him surpassed new heights now. She was beyond livid with him. Varun and Karan, I think it is time to put our master plan into action, she thought. This stupid pampered governor won't know what hit him!

Then she took a longer shower and rubbed her skin until it was red. She wanted to completely clean off any lingering scent or touch of his. Changing into a fresh pair of undergarments as well as boxer shorts and a green cotton shirt, Khushi sat on her bed. Anjali came in but Khushi pretended to sleep because she was not in the mood to talk to anyone. She was of course hurt by the sudden actions but she had discovered a new found courage within the course of these actions. She was going to extract her revenge with as much coldness as she could muster. Revenge is better served cold, she mused with determination.

Arnav on the other hand, had also showered but as the alcohol was slowly leaving his system, the mess he created was slowly becoming clearer. What had made him do that? Stupid crazy girl, he muttered. Stupid, stupid wedding, he continued. Stupid, stupid alcohol, he muttered. Great, now he was also muttering like Khushi Kumari Gupta. When he had first heard his sister mention that name to him, he had simply laughed. It was during the time he watched their graduation video together. Somehow, when he was close to her, he had simply uttered it on instinct.

He grumbled and opened his laptop.

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Tuesday, July 5, 2011

12.20 AM, Gotts Park Mansion House, Leeds, England

"Khushi, what are you doing here?" Anjali's uncle came into the kitchen. Surprised to see him up, Khushi simply shrugged and pointed to the milk glass and cookies she currently held in her hand. "Too much alcohol, too less food." She spoke.

"Yes, that is a very good reason to drink milk; these parties can get quite hectic. Although, Manorama and I were discussing, we hoped you had fun last night," he filled his glass with water and drank it. Khushi felt that her voice would betray her so she simply nodded her head and drained her milk glass. She hopped over to the counter and placed it in the sink. "It is great that you get to meet our family and stay with us… I hope we get to meet your parents as well," he said.

A yawn escaped past her lips, "you must be tired, so go to sleep… I have to make your aunt some green tea," he chuckled.

"Of course, do you need any help?" she asked but he politely declined. She told him that she would wait with him and he entertained her with stories of his own childhood and his wife etc.

Finally Khushi decided to sleep because she was beyond tired now. She wished Anjali's uncle goodnight and mounted the stairs. She failed to notice him because he hid in the shadows the moment she walked out. He was thirsty so he had come into the kitchen for some water. She was perched on the counter and was joking with his uncle. She got along with everybody but why this bitterness towards him? Frustrated at the situation on hand, he had simply retreated towards his room but she had unexpected come out of the kitchen as well.

For now, he saw that the hallway was clear so he simply went back to his room and drank the water from the faucet. Everything was tumbling out of control and Arnav Singh Raizada only understood control in order to function. That was the first thing that vanished, control.