Heylo! Back with the next Chapter.. This one was supposed to be the last one.. But all thanks to you greedy pankhas, I'll have to add in another one.. But pakka, Chapter 10 will be the last one.. 😊
P.S.: The dress that I described in the last update, is pretty much similar to the one I own.. Only mine's not chiffon but silk! 😉😃
Wokay then, you want a proposal??!! You get a proposal.. But slightly different one.. I'm pretty sure none of you would've expected it in this manner, esp. after the encounter at Riya's house.. 😉😛
I'm not saying anything.. *finger on my lips*
Chapter 9
They drove in complete silence, without a single word having been said between the two..The last encounter at Riya's doorstep had set their hearts racing and left their tongues tied..
Arjun however, stole glances at her every few seconds, admiring her beauty; his heart was beating at twice its normal pace tonight..
Riya, too wasn't indifferent to his gazes; she fidgeted with the dupatta and nervously tucked stray strands of hair behind her ear..
The mercury levels in the car were slowly rising despite the air-conditioner working at its lowest possible temperature..
Riya rolled the windows down and looked away, half-praying for her eyes to find something more interesting outside..
She found the car heading in the direction of his house and turned back to look at him.. Their eyes met for a fraction of a second and he confirmed her doubts.
He saw a smile lit up her eyes instantly and beamed proudly at her.. He knew she would like it..
She rested her head back against the seat and closed her eyes, with the smile still lingering on her lips.. They were going home..
Riya felt the car come to a halt and opened her eyes.. Their eyes met yet again and he signaled her look to her left.. They had reached home..
Her eyes widened in surprise and she blinked her eyes thanking him.. Arjun understood her gesture and slightly nodded his head acknowledging it..
He locked the car and led her in through the gates.. She saw him type a numeric code and pass through another gate protected with a fingerprint scan.. She was thoroughly impressed with all the safety precautions in place not having observed it last time, since she was brought in unconscious..
She took another couple of steps and her mouth fell open at the sight in front of her..
The very garden, which had appeared barren in the morning, now had lush plants adorning it..
But what pleased her even more were the fairy lights lighting up the place..
She turned back to him and saw him leaning against a coconut tree with his arms crossed across his chest and a barely-there smile on his lips..
He signaled her to walk ahead and she spun around eagerly awaiting more surprises..
She walked a few steps and her eyes lit up yet again..
Crotons along the hedges.. red rose plants lining the path to the house.. Colourful pansies and daisies scattered around the garden..
Tears welled up in her eyes at the sight of his beautiful garden.. She fought them back and smiled, He actually remembered everything!
Arjun saw an array of emotions flash across her face and realised that his hardwork had paid off.. He walked up to her and stood behind her, admiring her while she bent down and playfully examined each plant..
Riya felt his gaze upon herself and spun around to find him looking at her lovingly..
She mouthed a 'thank-you' and he responded to it by yet another nod of his head.. He tapped her shoulder and pointed towards something in a corner of the garden..
She stood on her toes, straining her eyes since that part of the garden wasn't lit with lights.. She turned around to question him but the words never left her mouth.. His warm palm had slid into hers and he was now leading her further into the garden..
Her eyes fell on something white and big.. She tilted her head innocently to have a clearer look and gasped when she realised what it was.. A gazebo!!
She glanced at him and flashed a dimpled smile, with the pits deeper this time.. Arjun finally breathed a sigh of relief, since everything was going on as planned..
They reached it in another few steps and her heart skipped a beat.. A table for two, sat in the middle of the gazebo, draped with a satiny white table-cloth.. A thick, bright red candle stood on the candle stand in the middle of the table.. The surface of the table cloth was covered with blood red rose petals.. A bottle of champagne sat in a bucketful of ice waiting to be opened..
She let go of his palm and held on to his arm, as the sound of waves hitting the shores nearby were the only sounds in the vicinity..
Arjun pulled out a chair for her and made her sit comfortably and occupied the other one, himself..
Riya plopped her elbow on the table and looked around, admiring the serenity around..
Arjun cleared his throat, grabbing her attention. She saw him roll his shirt sleeves up as he spoke, "So, tumhe pasand aaya?"
Riya blurted out, "Pasand? I loved it.. Thank you soo much.."
Arjun smiled geniuinely this time, "Riya, main chaahta toh tumhe kissi five-star restaurant ya club lekar jaa sakta tha.. Lekin jab tum subah yahan se jaa rahi thi, maine tumhari aankhon mein ek ajeebsi udaasi dekhi.. As if, you wanted to stay back.. Tumhe yeh ghar waqai itna pasand aaya?"
She nodded her head softly, " I know.. Lekin mujhe khushi hai, ki aap mujhe yahan le aaye.. It really means a lot to me..
Aur mujhe aapka ghar sach mein bohot pasand hai.. Yahan ki hawaon mein ek ajeeb sa sukoon hai.. Sheher ke bichobeech hokar bhi, yahan kitni shaanti hai.."
Arjun nodded agreeing, when she spoke up again, "Aur apnapan bhi.."
Arjun held her gaze for a while, until she looked away..
He shook his head and answered his ringing phone, "Haan Sameer.. Haan mila.. Thanks.."
Riya knitted her brows together, Sameer matlab kahin Rathore Sir toh nahi? Nahi lekin yeh unhe naam lekar thodi hi bulayenge..
Arjun sensed her dilemma and decided to put an end to it, "Rathore tha.."
She looked away embarrassed, "Woh main bass.."
He knew he had to make the first move.. He placed his fingers around her palm on the table top and gently squeezed it,
"It's okay.. Waise main tumhe kuch batana chahta hoon.."
Riya's head jerked up, when his fingers touched hers, "Haan?"
He looked around the house, "Roshni, Sameer Rathore ki chotti behen thi.."
Her eyes popped out wide, "Kya??!!"
Arjun blinked his eyes,
"Roshni ke chale jaane ke baad, hum dono bhi door ho gaye.. Galti meri thi.. Woh toh bass mujhe honsla dena chahta tha, lekin main usse jhoothi sympathy samajh baitha aur usse door ho gaya.."
Her senses were numbed with the sudden revelation, That explains the animosity between the two.. She had always sensed it and here it was out in the open.. And then his last words resonated in her ears, maybe things were back to normal now..
And that paved way for yet another disturbing thought, Rathore Sir humare baare mein kya sochenge, jab unhe pata chalega?
Arjun realised her confusion and grinned, "Riya, yeh saari arrangements ussi ne karvayi hai.."
It was time for yet another breath-hitching moment..
He saw her eyes pop out wide and chuckled,
"Relax.. It's okay.. Woh kabka jaa chuka hai.."
She sighed and blinked her eyes, awaiting his next move..
Arjun smirked and motioned towards the casseroles on the table..
Riya smiled and opened one of the hot pots.. The aroma filled her senses and she smirked, Pizza..
Arjun grinned and nodded, "Tumhe pasand hai na? Lekin, tum kal raat theek se kha nahi paayi thi.. Isliye.."
She blushed as she recollected last night's dinner..
He saw her pour water into the two glasses and sighed; he was already nervous..
Wasn't she interested in knowing the reason behind all this?
Riya as if understanding his unspoken words, put the lid back on and sat with her fingers entwined together, silently telling him that she was prepared for whatever came her way next..
Arjun grinned widely and stood up, straightening his shirt.. Riya looked on with bated breath as he held out his hand waiting for her to join him..
She slid her palm into his and now stood opposite him, with both her palms in his.. He looked into her eyes and spoke,
"Riya, I'm not a perfect man.. Mujhme bohot si khaamiyaan hain; in fact thodi zyada hi hain.. Mujhe gussa bohot aata hai, jhooth se sakht nafrat hai..aur.."
Riya chuckled and tugged at his fingers, "Aur aap chai bohot peete hain.."
Arjun smirked and nodded, "Hmm.. woh bhi.."
Riya glanced at him and realised that he was nervous.. She chuckled inwardly as the thought registered.. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that she would find him lost for words..
She cleared her throat, "Aur.."
Arjun smiled at her effort to comfort him, "Aur mere saath rehna, mujhe jhelna aasaan nahi hai.."
Riya's heart had started a marathon and was sprinting towards the finish line, thudding violently against her chest as she sensed the hidden meaning behind his short sentences.. However, she composed herself and decided to play along, "Haan.. Woh toh mujhe pata hai.."
He fell silent for the next few minutes.. She saw a flash of pain across his face and assumed it to be guilt.. However, she decided to respect his privacy and stood still, holding on to his palms..
He shook his head and shut his eyes, "Hmm.. Toh isliye soch raha hoon, ki kal raat jo bhi hua, humein usse bhool jaana chahiye.."
He saw her forehead frown and her fingers slowly turned cold in his palms.. She looked at him bewildered, "Kya??!!"
Arjun seated her on the chair and knelt in front of her,
"Haan.. Kyunki yeh sab aasan nahi hoga.. Main thehra, ek mature aur strict police officer, jisse sirf apni job se pyaar hai..
Aur tum, young ho, talented ho, tumhe abhi zindagi mein aur bohot kuch dekhna hai..
Mere saath bandhkar kahin tum zindagi ki unn badi khushiyon ko kho na baitho.."
Her anxiety had vanished now and was replaced by tremendous respect for the man in front of her. She placed her palm over his,
"I know aasaan nahi hoga.. Lekin hum saath milkar zindagi se chotti chotti khushiyan chura lenge.. Agar aap saath ho, toh mujhe aur kissi cheez ki zaroorat nahi hai.."
There it was; she had said it herself.. His heart swelled with pride at her and he cupped her face lightly,
"Par phir bhi, Riya.. Think about it.. Humari lives kitni alag hain.. Roshni ke chale jaane ke baad, main zindagi se mooh modh chuka tha.. Tumne mujhe dobara jeena sikhaya..
Lekin mujhe ab bhi Roshni ko insaaf dilaana hai.. Sikandar ko uske kiye ke liye saza dilvani hai.. Aur main khud nahi jaanta, ki iss sab mein aur kitne mahine ya phir shayad saal nikal jayenge.. I can't keep you hanging, Riya.."
She pressed her cheek into his palm and he felt moisture on his fingers,
"Maine do saal aapka intezaar kiya hai, Sir.. Woh bhi tab, jab mujhe iss rishte ke future ki koi ummeed nahi thi.. Aur ab, ab aap chahte hain, ki main sab kuch jaante hue, aapse door ho jaoon? Kissi aur ka haath thaam loon?"
Arjun shook his head, fighting back his inner turmoil, "Riya.. Maine tumhe aaj tak aansouon ke alawa diya hi kya hai? Aaj bhi main yahan tumse apne dil ki baat kehne aaya tha, lekin dekho, aaj bhi tumhe rula diya na? Aur aisa nahi hai, ki main tumhe apne aap se door karna chaahta hoon.. Lekin.."
She held his palm, "Lekin kya? Kya aapko sach mein lagta hai, ki aapse door rehkar main khush reh paaongi? Kya aap khush reh payenge, mere bina?"
Arjun blinked his eyes allowing a tear to roll out of his eye,
"Nahi.. Lekin main seh loonga.. Yeh sochkar ki koi hai jo tumhara khayal rakh sakega.. Tumhe woh saari khushiyaan dega, jiski tum haqdaar ho.. Jo tumhari hasi ko kabhi mitne nahi dega..
Soch loonga ki hum kabhi ek doosre ke liye baney hi nahi the..
You deserve something much better, Riya.."
She fought back her own tears and held his chin, "Aapne mere sawaal ka jawaab nahi diya.. Kya aapko lagta hai, ki aapse door rehkar main khush rahoongi?"
Her heart wrenched in pain, upon watching him fight himself.. She had no doubts that he loved her.. His honest confession last night had assured her that he did..
Yet, now he wanted to distance her from himself, so that her smiles, her happiness remained intact..
Little did he know, that he was the reason behind her every smile.. She wouldn't let him do this.. She wouldn't let him leave her.. Not now, when she knew what they both meant to each other..
She sighed and took both his hands in her palm.. She placed one on her knee and held the other against her beating heart.. He raised his head and eyed her with moist eyes, "Mehsoos kar sakte hain isse? Jab se maine pyaar ko samjha hai, jabse iske maaine seekhe hain, tabse sirf aapse pyaar kiya hai..
Din raat sote jaagte, sirf aapka khayal mere zehen mein rehta hai.. Har din aapki khushi ke liye dua maangti hoon main.. Ki bass kissi tarah aap apni saari takleefon se aazaad ho jaayein..
Agar mere aansouon ki wajah aap hain, toh meri har khushi, har muskurahat ki wajah bhi aap hi hain.. Aap kehte hain na, ki maine aapko jeena sikhaya hai, lekin mere liye jeene ki wajah hi aap hain, Arjun..
Kya aapko ab bhi lagta hai, ki main kabhi kissi aur ke saath khush reh paaongi.. Kya ab bhi aap yahi kahenge ki main aapke liye nahi bani?"
She felt his hand trail down and fall to his side.. She glanced at his defeated form as he sat on the floor at her feet and placed his head on her lap..
She clenched her eyes shut and let her muffled sobs escape her lips..
Then leaning over him, she placed her face over his, holding onto his shoulders..
His arms made their way around her waist and he drew her closer..
Both sat still, letting the truth sink in, reveling in each others presence, drawing strength from their pain..
She felt him shift in her lap and slowly parted from him; he raised his head and slowly let go of his hold on her..
Riya wiped away his tears and cupped his face.. He leaned in and let her kiss his forehead..
He had planned the entire evening, to express his feelings to her; to propose marriage to her.. But one look at her innocent eyes and her dimpled smile had weakened his resolve..
He couldn't afford to lose her, even if that meant distancing himself from her..
But now, he realised he had been such a fool to assume that she would leave him, if he asked her to.. Her prior words echoed in his head, Aurat ki kabiliyat par kabhi shaq nahi karna chahiye..
Here was a woman, who loved him more than he could've ever fathomed.. She had held on to him, to their unnamed relationship, even while he had tried pushing her away..
Riya sat immobile, with her lips pressed against his forehead as the gravity of what had just transpired hit her.. She had just seen the seemingly tough supercop give up on her.. He had broken down, for the second time since last night, letting go of his apprehensions..
She appreciated it whole-heartedly and couldn't thank her stars for bringing him into his life.. Whatever it was, they would deal with it.. He had been the rock solid support behind the ETF all these years; now she would be his pillar of strength.. She wouldn't let him crumble, ever again..
She felt him smile against her palm and moved back..
He grazed his stubbled cheek against her soft palm and felt her tremble..
Arjun eyed her face once again, this time savoring every moment.. Their eyes met and his fingers slowly made their way up her arm.. She shuddered at his touch and he could see her lips quavering..
She felt his fingers caress her jawline and closed her eyes, as the familiar heady sensation took over her..
He traced the contour of her luscious lips and smirked, when they parted on their own.. His index finger trailed up her cheek bone and caught a strand of hair..
She felt him tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and shivered, when it grazed her earlobe..
Arjun smirked at the effect he had on her.. He leaned in closer and saw a nerve in her neck throb wildly..
Her palms swiftly let go of his face and clutched the soft fabric of her dress as his proximity continued to play havoc with her senses..
He whispered against her ear, "Pizza thanda ho raha hai.."
and moved away after tapping her dangling earring..
Wokay.. Aaj itna hi likh paayi.. Do let me know if you liked the pictures I posted.. A reader had requested for a pic of his house.. 😊😃
So, did you like the confession or you still need him to say the three cliched words? Come on guys, pour in all your wishes and demands.. I'll try n include them in the last Chapter..
Peep-in for next Chapter: A sensuous song sequence.. 😉😳
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NOTE: I do not own the characters.. My stories are my fantasies and are based on ideas derived from the show.. My works are only meant for members of IndiaForums and are not to be copied to other sites..
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Edited by mohabbatgirl - 12 years ago
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