FF: Your Love Means Everything THREAD 1 BLOG LINK - Page 13

Originally posted by: falu73

Really nice

CHAPTER NINE

From the heavens Devi Maiya smiled down upon her dominion and its inhabitants; the sky peppered pink against the rising sun. The first rays of the morning light peeked above the horizon as Arnav Singh Raizada, none the wiser of the divine, stirred in his sleep. His nostrils flared in agitation; groaning he blindly reached for his mobile somewhere on his bedside table.

5.52 am

It was time to get up anyway.

Sliding the french doors open he stepped outside into the crisp morning breeze and squinted as his pupils adjusted to the light. Inhaling deeply, his nose agitated once again, he recognized the lingering aroma of incense sticks. A mixture of sandalwood and jasmine; containing a hint of something he couldn't quite put his finger on.

It was then that Khushi walked out towards the pool. She must be a vision he thought'the morning light surrounding her like a halo. Her hair was loose and flowing, still damp from her shower, and she was barefoot. Wearing a red sari she carried the pooja ki thaali in her hands and began to waft the scent of the incense sticks around the poolside. The sun reflected in her eyes as her irises became an amalgamation of emerald and honey. It was mesmerizing. She granted him a soft smile and walked around him to other side of the pool continuing her ritual.

THIS IS WHAT KHUSHI LOOKS LIKE. I THINK SHE WOULD LOOK AMAZING LIKE THIS.

He looked like a stunned mullet. It was as if nothing had happened last night'and now he was confused. Taking advantage of this rare opportunity, Khushi gently placed a tika on his forehead and walked away; Arnav still too absorbed in her eyes to acknowledge what had happened. He shook his head and made his way to the bathroom getting ready for the day.

A little while later the Raizada family had gathered at the breakfast table. Arnav paused on his way down; observing his family from the stairs. It was like any other morning at Shantivaan; Rehaan and Anjali arguing over breakfast options, Jijaji quiety reading the newspaper and Nani attending to Lakshmi while Mamaji and Akash pretended to listen to Mamiji's mindless chatter. Somewhere in the past 2 weeks though Khushi had been absorbed into this organized chaos. She was no longer a guest but a functioning member of the household. He watched as she cajoled Rehaan into eating some parantha for his mother's sake while serving tea to Nani but not before making sure that everyone had something in their plates. It was all very domestic and he decided that he didn't mind it. He was fiercely protective of his family and loved ones, breaking his back working to ensure their comfort and happiness. This was what he had fought so hard for since his parents had left him all those years ago; a stable family unit. A moment of uneasiness flickered over his heart'what would happen when she left them?

Pushing away his concerns he made his way down and played his part in the Raizada morning symphony. Grabbing hold of his phone he checked the BBC morning news and the stock exchange. Then attaching his bluetooth headset he called Aman for the rundown on his day. Next came the coffee. He was a well oiled machine with a specific routine for the day. This morning however when his hand reached out to pour his coffee he realized that someone had already done it for him. Looking up he saw Khushi place toast on his plate and pour coffee in his mug as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Then she turned away and went to see if Rehaan had eaten his breakfast.

He was about to grumble at her when he remembered her tears from the night before and decided to let it drop for today.

"Arrey wah Chote, you wore tika this morning? Any special reason?"

Anjali was smiling as she stared up at the traces of the vermillion stained on his forehead; the morning shower unable to remove it all.

"What'?"

He scrunched up his face and looked at his Di as if she had gone mad.

"Tika and me..is this some kind of a joke?"

"That's exactly what I am asking'.you and tika? I can't believe it!"

He looked around as everyone had stopped what they were doing to look at Arnav. Suddenly a hushed murmur went across the table in agreement'he indeed had traces of tika on his forehead. Touching his forehead he thought back to ealier in the morning when Khushi had come to the poolside with the aarti ki thaali. Had she really placed a tika on him'but when?

"Even if I did Di'so what? It's not a big deal."

"Yeah right'and I'm Princess Diana" murmured Aakash.

Everybody burst out laughing. Arnav scowled at his brother.

"Oh come on bhai'you refuse to step foot in the mandir. Di has been trying for years. To get you to put tika or take prashad is like pulling teeth. How did you manage Khushiji?"

Arnav was wondering the same thing. He gritted his teeth and stared at her. She just looked back at him as if his anger really didn't bother her.

"Oh I think he was distracted'I didn't realize he doesn't wear tika. I just put it on him since I was offering everybody else."

Arnav quickly scanned the faces of his family and realized they were also sporting tikas. He felt disappointed. So it wasn't just for him then? And why in gods name was she acting as if he hadn't ripped her to shreds the night before?

" Why were you distracted bhai'?"

Before Arnav could reply, Anjali jumped in.

"Obviously Aakash'look at Khushiji this morning. She looks so beautiful."

"Please Anjaliji its nothing like that. Besides Arnavji can have any girl he wants'why would he bother to look at me?"

She received confused looks from everybody. Arnav felt like he had just been kicked in the guts.

"Only I mean'that I'm wearing a saree. He sees so many models everyday in much less. Why would something like this distract him?"

Anjali opened her mouth to protest... but was cut of by Khushi. She turned toward Arnav.

"Anyway Arnavji'I won't be able to come in to the office today. I have my 2 week check-up at the hospital at 11.00 am and I'm not sure how long I will be. I have informed Aman Sir and already completed my tasks for today ahead of time. I have also appointed and trained a replacement personal assistant for you for today. I will meet you directly at the gala tonight'if that is alright by you?"

" Khushiji'Chote should go with you. He was there the first time as well"

"No Anjaliji. He had a very busy day and meetings that cannot be rescheduled. It's only a check-up. I will manage just fine."

Arnav looked up at her and nodded indicating his approval. Excusing herself he watched her as she went up stairs. She exuded natural beauty and composure. Did his words really make her doubt that? He only meant to'well that wasn't important now. The damage had been done. The chatter resumed at the dining table and he silently departed for his room to collect his suit jacket and laptop bag.

Picking up his jacket from the recliner he looked up and saw Khushi in her room. They curtains in both their rooms had been drawn and he could see past both set of french doors into her room. She was standing in front of the mirror adjusting her saree, a small smile playing on her lips. God she was beautiful. It was almost painful staying away from her. Only yesterday he had vowed that he would leave emotions at the door. But she wasn't letting him.

"Arrrggg" He wanted to scream with frustration. Perhaps he needed to just forget the whole marriage deal for a little while. It was an added pressure that was making things worse for them both.

Maybe he should try and act like a normal guy.

He almost laughed out loud. Well the least he could do was not make her life miserable on purpose. This much he could manage. It really had nothing to do with emotions.

*********************************************************************

Khushi got down from the car and made her way to the entrance of the hospital. Anjali had insisted that if she was to go alone then the least she could do was take the car. It was a concrete jungle'sterile. The Nurse steered her towards a bed and drew the curtains around her.

"Dr Rajput will be with you in a moment"

The smell of sanitizer hung in the air and she observed her surroundings. Khushi really hated hospitals. The two extremes of life within the same space. A family crying with the joy of a new life and a family crying with the grief of a life lost. It scared her to be honest. The last time she was in a hospital was as a child. But those memories were patchy at best. All she knew was that it wasn't a good feeling.

" Aah Ms. Gupta'Not Mrs Raizada! Correct?"

She looked up and smiled.

"Yes that's right."

She hadn't really paid attention to the doctor the other night. The pain had overwhelmed her.

"How is the arm doing?"

"It's stiff'and its taking me longer than usual to do everything. But the pain is very limited."

" The scans have come back and it seems that you are recovering quite well. The stiffness is because of the plaster but we can remove that today if you like. You'll need to replace it with some heavy strapping that will have to be changed every 2-3 days."

Khushi's face lit up.

"That sounds great. It means I won't look so silly tonight."

"Tonight'where are you going?"

"Oh there is a big charity gala tonight. I have to attend with my boss'make connections and all that"

" The black and white ball..?"

"Yes that's the one'"

" What a coincidence'I'll be there!"

" That's great Dr. Rajput'I'll see you there"

Dr. Rajput had taken out the mini saw and turned toward Khushi. He switched it on and Khushi looked like she was about to faint.

"Wh'.what are you doing with that?"

He laughed a full belly laugh. He had a sweet laugh she thought. Very open and honest. How could such a warm and lovely man work here?

" Look Khushi'its just to cut the plaster open. It won't hurt a bit I promise."

Taking the plaster off he took her through a series of maneuvers to test the muscle tone and power as well as range of movement in her fractured arm. He was careful not to push her too much. As he was performing the movements he cleared his throat'

"I hope it wasn't too presumptuous of me."

"Huh'"

"The roses. Did you like them?"

"They were from you?"

"Yeah'" he said sheepishly

" Why'?"

" I just 'umm..well'you're very beautiful. I thought you might like them and you know'" he trailed off

Khushi then looked at Dr. Rajput for the first time. He couldn't be older than Laad Governor'27 maybe 28. He was incredibly good looking'even Khushi could not deny that. He had floppy brown hair that refused to sit properly and deep blue eyes. His beard defined his jawline and long lashes that could woo any girl. He didn't look very Indian to be honest. She listened to her heart'No dhak dhak. Her breathing was normal.

"Dr Rajput I'"

"Please call me Aadithya."

"Aadithyaji'it's just I'can we be friends?"

He smiled.

" Well I really have no intentions of being your friend. But I guess we can start there. Will you at least give me a chance? Get to know me? Save me a dance tonight?"

She looked into his eyes and saw nothing but sincerity. Arnav Singh Raizada be damned. Arnav Singh Raizada be damned. She swirled that thought around for a while.

" It would be my pleasure."

She was going to be Cinderella tonight. She was going to live a little. Maybe she would find her prince charming?

Btw this is what Dr. Aadithya Rajput looks like'he has mixed heritage. Wink Wink. It is what he will look like at the Gala tonight. He's the one on the right.

Colour picture

*****************************************************************************

Arnav sat in the meeting eyeing the clock. It was 11.30'had she seen the doctor already? Was she ok? He drummed his fingers on the desk.

"Sir?"

"Hmmm"

" The delegates from Japan have arrived."

" Right Aman, seat them in conference room 1. "

"Also will you be wearing the Tom Ford or the Armani Prive tuxedo tonight?"

" Make it the Ford"

" Sir your limousine has been booked'"

" You know what Aman'I'm in the mood to drive the Bugatti tonight."

Aman internally rolled his eyes at the obvious display of wealth.

" As you wish. Ms Gupta and your seats have been confirmed. I have forwarded her ticket to her. She said that she will be meeting you at the Gala itself."

"Yes'I am aware" he drily responded

"Sir'I contacted the hospital. She attended the appointment. Her cast has been removed, it has been replaced with heavy strapping but she is recovering well."

"Thankyou"

" Ok then, I'll leave you to it."

She was alright'good. She'd need her strength tonight. Arnav Singh Raizada was going to be dressed to kill. She wanted to be aloof did she? Pretend that he didn't matter? Let's see how she resisted him tonight.

********************************************************************************

PRECAP

Jealous Arnav, Stunning Khushi, Bidding war for a dance with Khushi, Moonlight dalliances?

Stay Tuned.

AUTHORS NOTE

Hello everybody. Thankyou for all of the comments. I really do appreciate it I read every single one. I have replied to many of you who commented after the last post. There was a lot of confusion regarding the gunshot so I have decided to make it the prologue. So the story it basically 12 months prior to that moment onwards and it is working toward their marriage and the gunshot.

Hope this clears the confusion

A lot of love to everybody. COMMENT AND LIKE AWAY PLEASE.

Any feedback is welcome and is quite constructive. Again I will endeavor to reply to as many people as possible. But I can only reply to 20 in day.

SO'..did anybody guess that it was DR RAJPUT?????

Hope it was a nice surprise I was going to include the gala but it was getting waay too long.

Next chapter will be full of good old rabba vey romance.

IMPORTANT'

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT RES MEANS AND WHY IT IS SO FUNNY? I have been reading it everywhere and don't get it since I am relatively new to the forum. Thanks.