Chapter 7
Sun set over the horizon in Arabian sea & Khushi's excitement reached it's peak.She was decorating the poolside with flowers & fairy lights.She was done with flowers & now fidgeting with fairy lights.Her expressions changed to annoyed from pleasant.Devi Maiyya only knew why,the simple task of arranging fairy lights,seemed too difficult to her.After a while Khushi successfully managed to entangle herself in those bright,shiny & twinkling lights.She presented a vision clad in those tiny sources of blinking lights.Suddenly gust of wind started blowing & Khushi sensed his presence.She looked around to confirm her suspicion.
Arnav stood at some distance from her,looking at her as if in dream.He had the dazed expression on his face.She looked helplessly at him & he advanced towards her with measured strides.She flinched when a spark touched her bare upper back.He came out of trance & looked worriedly at her.He wondered how she manages to magnetize trouble at her everytime.She was trying hard to get out of those lights But instead was getting entangled in them further.He stood inches apart from her & they shared the intense eyelock.Next followed Rabba Ve.
The eyelock & heavy Rabba Ve had lasted for some more time but Devi Maiyya created another spark in fairy lights & Khushi flinched with pain when it touched her smooth skin.She struggled some more & Arnav stopped her by holding her shoulders.Currents of shivers ran down her spine & she closed her eyes & opened them only after some moment when she felt him making her turn around.She looked confused.Arnav started untangle the entangled beauty clad in orange.His eyes were keenly on her all the while.
He freed her effortlessly taking his own sweet time.Torturing her senses in the order.When he removed last wire of fairylight from around her neck,his finger brushed her back & the contact sent a jolt of electricity through his finger to each & every cell of his being.Now she stood facing him.His strong heady masculine scent started causing havoc on her senses.The close proximity wasn't helping much.She closed her eyes & clutched handful of her dress.He tucked a loose strand behind her ear,which was making him really jealous for some unknown reasons by touching her cheeks.Rabba Ve rerun was at it's peak,when HP called for Khushi to see the arrangements.
Arnav came out of trance & stepped back.Khushi hurriedly left the poolside,still hyperventilating.She needed to make Jalebis.Something was terribly wrong with her.By the time Khushi was sure that she was not a heart patient.Because as per her knowledge Rabba Ve doesn't happen to heart patients.This disease was more critical than heart problem.Devi Maiyya hit her forehead & rolled her eyes mentally in exasperation.
Khushi went to lounge area,biting her lips & nail all the way.HP had made all her favorite dishes as Anjali had told him over phone,in afternoon.He was arranging fairylights & flowers in lounge area,when Khushi came there engrossed in her thoughts.She saw around her & broke into a smile.The place was glistening with lights & flowers.HP had done his job brilliantly as she had told him.She thanked him & went to her room to get ready.
She tried clearing her mind but his thoughts kept coming back to her,no matter how hard she tried.It was her birthday.She wanted to enjoy & have fun,but instead she was thinking of him & blushing like an idiot.She was literally annoyed of the blush now.She had completely lost control over it.More she tried to suppress it,more it changed the tint darker.She took an long relaxing shower in order to keep all other thoughts aside.She came out of shower & opened the closet to get the Red saree Arnav had gave her in morning.And again the blush made it's appearance on her cheeks.
Arnav was in his room torturing his laptop keyboard ,when HP knocked on door.He raised his head from laptop & looked questioningly at him.
"Wo Arnav Bhaiyya,everything is ready but Anjaliji had told me that you'll get the cake.So..."HP said holding his breath.He knew his Arnav Bhaiyya that much.But to his utter surprise Arnav didn't barked on him.HP decided to offer his thanks to Devi Maiyya in the form of 2 extra Laddoos.
"I'll check on it."Saying,Arnav turned to his phone to make sure that cake will be there in time.He was doing it just for his Di.Nothing else.
'Yeah, nothing else.'Devi Maiyya chuckled.
On the other side of house,in her bedroom,Khushi was all set to kill a certain someone,clad in the Red saree & matching backless Choli.Though she was herself a designer but she knew that even she couldn't have chose something,fine,exquisite & elegant like this for herself.She was looking simply breathtaking.She had kept her long dark locks open to sway with the gust of wind.
Their little birthday party venue was ready to celebrate Khushi Kumari Gupta's birthday.Arnav was dressed in a sexy black shirt & denims.He was doing this just for his Di.Nothing else.He reminded himself mentally again.
"Yeah,nothing else.'Devi Maiyya chuckled again.
Arnav fetched his phone & started checking emails as his habit.When suddenly everything felt like stopping.He strangely sensed Khushi's presence.Gust of wind started blowing.He tore his eyes apart from his phone & looked around.She was descending down the staircase like a princess in fairytale,in his favorite color.Though Arnav didn't knew any fairytale but he was sure that if there was a princess in fairytale she would be exactly like her.The Red color was in stark contrast with her creamy soft flawless skin.It seemed like that saree was made just for her.Same Red adorning her luscious plump lips.Long eyelashes,cute red nose.Just perfect.Long earrings & matching neck piece were reflecting the crystal twinkle over her skin.The vision in front of him took his breath away.He stood breathless on the spot & his phone slipped out of his grip & lay abandoned on the floor.He was gazing at her from top to toe as if that was the most natural thing in world.He lost the track of time & surrounding completely.
Khushi's eyes met Arnav's & she knew then & there that she had lost it.His eyes had power to hold her captive & beg for mercy.She felt like he could reach out for her soul & read her crystal clear.Gust of wind,Dhak Dhak & Rabba Ve started simultaneously.Devi Maiyya twirled around herself in delight like a kid.Her planning turned out successful.Khushi came to the lounge area still eyelocking with Arnav.HP wondered what could be wrong with 'evergreen chirp queen' Khushiji.So he decided to interrupt the 'longest-till-date-Rabba-Ve'.
"Happy birthday Khushiji."HP flashed his extra watt smile at her & Khushi & Arnav landed back on earth,one with startle & other with a swear for HP.Nonetheless Khushi composed herself & smiled back at HP.
"Thank you HPji."She peeked from the corner of eyes at Arnav.He was shooting daggers at poor HP as if he had committed some crime by interrupting their Rabba Ve moment.It reminded her that Arnav hadn't wished her birthday yet.He was turning out to be a big question mark for her.Anyhow she shrugged the thought aside for time being & her eyes fell over cake.She screamed cupping her cheeks in astonishment & wide eyes.
"Hey Devi Maiyya.Mango cake.I just love love Mango cake."
"unbelievable."Arnav mumbled under his breath.She was like antique piece.
"Thank you for getting the Mango cake HPji"
"What the!!"Arnav exclaimed & Khushi turned to him all startled & confused.'What's wrong with this Laad Governor?'
"No Khushiji.Ye cake toh Arnav Bhaiyya laye hain."HP told her
"What the!!"It was time for Khushi to be shocked.Her jaws dropped hearing this."Aap...hume...cake...kaise...?"She stammered.
"No need to overreact.Di had told me to bought the cake.Now can we cut the cake?"Arnav said as plainly as he could while enjoying those priceless expressions on her face.He was doing this just for his Di.Nothing else.Another reminder.
'Like really?Nothing else?'Devi Maiyya was amused.
Khushi's cut the cake without birthday song but she didn't mind it at all.She sang the song for herself mentally.First she ate 2 scoopful of cake herself & then gave to Arnav & HP.When it came to anything that was eatable,Khushi prefered to be shameless.Dinner has everything that Khushi loved.They had their dinner amid Khushi chattering constantly & Arnav stealing glances at her.He didn't mind her '100 miles per hour talking ability' at all.It was overall an unforgettable birthday for Khushi.After dinner Arnav went to his bedroom & Khushi headed towards our beloved,divine & sacred poolside,which she had decorated with much efforts.Flashes of the memories from some hour back at poolside,when Arnav had untangled her out of fairylights,came flooding to her & she blushed scarlet.
Khushi sat on a chair placed at the corner & looked up at stars.She was there to take blessings from her Amma Babuji,whom she believed had turned into stars.She had several times laughed,cried,talked & sometimes sat silently in the company of her star turned parents.The brightest of the 2 stars blinked upon her when she asked for their blessings.She was happy today.It was her birthday,how couldn't she be happy.She was chattering nonstop with the stars & Devi Maiyya.She shared everything that had happened today excluding her & Arnav's Rabba Ve moments & including Arnav not wishing her birthday.Devi Maiyya rolled her eyes mentally in amusement.
"Time for action."Devi Maiyya thought & executed her next plan.
Arnav appeared into poolside out of nowhere.His dazed eyes were fixed on Khushi who was still wearing that Red saree.Her face was glowing with the translucent glow.Her eyes,deep,pure,serene,brownish hazel...like he would drown in them.Her smile,divine,untainted,childlike...like he could stake all the fortune he possessed,to keep it intact on her lips.He was completely lost in her purity.
While Khushi's unstoppable chatter express was going on & on,Arnav overheard the part where she was complaining to her parents,about him not wishing her birthday.His face showcased all the pain in world on hearing this.He went forward & stood by her side & looked up at the stars she was talking to.Khushi sensed his presence & wrapped up her chatting session with stars.
"Do you really think they have became stars?"Arnav said without looking at her more like talking to himself.There was naked pain in his voice.Khushi could feel it.
"It doesn't matter what you think.The only thing matters is,do you believe?I believe Arnavji that my Amma Babuji live among those stars.No matter what happens,they will always be there for me,with me."Khushi said turning to him & she saw the extreme pain on his face & in his eyes.He was standing besides her completely unguarded.She could feel the vibes of stark pain emitting from his taut body.The man of few words,Arnav Singh Raizada,was sharing something very personal,his pain & anguish with Khushi Kumari Gupta.
"Do you know,why I don't wish anyone birthday?Because Maa left me forever on my 15th birthday.She killed herself."Arnav said turning to her.Khushi stood shocked & tears rolled down her cheeks when she saw him in so much pain.His eyes were bloodshot due to unshed tears.She just kept looking at him to let him continue & pour his heart out.
"Is my Maa there too?Has she became a star too?Is she looking down at me?"Arnav asked her hopefully.
"Yes Arnavji.Look up at those bright stars.The one shining vibrantly,that is your Amma.She is always looking down at you."She whispered & pointed out a star to him.
"Is she happy watching me like this,the way I am?"Arnav said more like asking to himself,as well wanted Khushi to answer.
"Yes Arnavji.She IS happy.The way you take care of your Di.The way you gathered yourself & made a new world out of nothing.She is happy & proud of you Arnavji.See the twinkle on her face."She made him look at the star & as if on queue the bright star twinkled twice.
A content smile spread over Arnav's face & he took Khushi in his embrace.He buried his face in the crook of her neck.It was a hug to seek comfort & warmth.As innocent as a kid's hug.But it was unexpected for Khushi.She got surprised by the the sudden gesture.But nevertheless she gave in to the flow & responded him back.She knew he needed it.She nuzzled her cheek over his ear in order to soothe him.He broke the hug after a while.
Khushi was about to turn back when suddenly Arnav grabbed her by her waist & pulled her flush against himself.She looked surprisingly at him & saw his desire filled eyes.Within fraction of second he cupped her cheeks & captured her lips in a passionate kiss.His hold on her was firm yet careful.Khushi froze in his hold for sometime & the moment his lips touched her she felt like she had touched some bare live wire.Both felt electrocuted & their eyes shot open until they looked deep into each others eyes.Both closed their eyes simultaneously & Khushi reciprocated to him with equal fervor.The surroundings went blurry & air filled with nothing but just sound of two rapidly beating hearts.They kissed for a straight 5 minutes time span until their lungs gave away & demanded Oxygen.
Devi Maiyya had tears of happiness in her eyes.She discarded the 5th tissue paper into dustbin & looked down at Earth.There were very few such events when she had became emotional.This was surely gonna listed on the top.She showered her blessings over her two stubborn children who had finally embarked on the journey to reach the destination of being each other's.She could now give more attention to her another assignment in Delhi.
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Rabba Ve.😉
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