Arshi FF | Arshi's Saviour; Lavanya | Chap 24 p 128 May 9th - Page 35

Khushi opened her eyes and saw Sakshi peacefully sleeping on her left. She smiled and turned to her right where Arnav was still asleep. She chuckled at his slightly ajar mouth and his tousled hair. He sleeps like a baby, she thought. She was about to get up when suddenly she felt herself being pulled back. She turned to see her mangalsutra stuck on Arnav's clothes.

She shook her head and moved closer in order to remove her mangalsutra. As she struggled to get the mangalsutra free, Arnav's eyes fluttered open which made Khushi freeze.

Arnav opened his eyes to meet Khushi's hazel brown eyes. He smiled and shifted himself to get up, only to be jerked back towards her, making their noses almost touch. He looked down and saw the mangalsutra stuck on his t shirt.

"Wait, I'll get it." He managed to get it out and handed it to her.

"Thanks..." Khushi replied. She got off the bed and left for the bathroom while Arnav moved to the poolside to make an important call.

Arnav returned to the room to see Khushi already freshened up and dressed in a sari. Arnav placed his phone on the nightstand and picked up his towel. He was about to make his way into the bathroom, when he saw Khushi struggling with her dori in front of the mirror.

He walked up behind her and held her hands that were trying without success to tie the dori. She froze when she saw him do this. She looked directly into the mirror at his reflection where he smile at her and motioned to the dori with his eyes. She nodded and lowered her hands to her side, giving him full access to her back.

He moved her damp hair to one side of her shoulder. As his hands trailed the length of the dori strings along her back, Khushi bit her lip feeling a butterfly sensation in her stomach. Arnav held the two strings and tied the dori within a second.

Khushi faintly smiled and moved forward to get her bangles but felt herself being pulled back onto Arnav. She looked at him sideways and realised that his t shirt had gotten stuck on a hook from the lower part of her blouse.

"Just a sec..." Arnav said. As he was about to remove his t shirt from the hook, their bedroom door was pushed open suddenly.

Anjali, Vihaan, Payal, Akash, Lavanya and Dhruv all stood in the bedroom, all witnessing the sight in front of them; Arnav pressed against Khushi's back and Khushi's face turning crimson red.

Anjali giggled, "Sorry Chotte and Khushiji."

Vihaan laughed, "Sorry we should have knocked. Are you all done?"

Arnav pulled his t shirt out of Khushi's hook and stood next to Khushi now. "Its not what you think..." Arnav tried to reason.

Lavanya snickered and said, "Err we don't need any explanation..."

Khushi diverted the topic of discussion before Lavanya continued, "You all here? Is something..."

Akash pushed his glasses up on his nose and replied to his sister in law, "We came to call you two down for breakfast."

Arnav shook his head and gestured with his hands, "So all of you..." He paused, "...came to call just the two of us..."

Payal held Khushi's shoulder and remarked, "You all are leaving today so we wanted to spend as much time as we can with you all..."

Lavanya turned to Khushi, "You sure you don't need any help with anything? ...packing?"

Khushi declined, "Everything's done. Just we need to get ready ourselves."

Lavanya nodded, while Arnav muttered, "If you all go downstairs, only then we'll be able to get ready."

Dhruv laughed, "Arnav has a point..."

Vihaan said, "Yes let's go... so they can continue where they left off."

Akash laughed, "And bhai next time lock your door!!!"

The sibling posse left the room and Arnav closed the door. He walked up to Khushi and flicked her nose. "Laal..." (Red)

Khushi muttered, "Huhh..."

Arnav brushed his fingers against her cheek, "Aapki naak..." (Your nose...)

He smirked and went into the washroom while Khushi touched her nose and looked into the mirror. She shook her head and placed her palm over her chest feeling her unsteady heartbeat.

DHAK DHAK... DHAK DHAK...

"Bas (Enough) Khushi..." Khushi gave herself a quick pep talk. She finished getting ready and saw her little angel stirring in her sleep.

She smiled and pulled a half awake Sakshi into her arms. "Saku baby..."

Khushi kissed her forehead and Sakshi held onto Khushi tightly.

Dressed in a jeans and t shirt, Arnav emerged from the bathroom to see his two angels on the bed. He quickly strode towards them and sat on the bed. He caressed Sakshi's hair and asked, "Did my baby sleep well?" Sakshi nodded and leapt into Arnav's arms.

After getting Sakshi dressed, the trio made their way downstairs. After breakfast the Gupta's came over. Arnav, Khushi and Sakshi spent some time with everyone and then retreated upstairs to freshen up for the airport. They double checked their luggage and Hari Prakash got everything into the SUV.

They came downstairs and hugged and kissed everyone from a side. Buaji, Garima, Shashi and Nani gave blessings to the couple.

"Bring me back something... No pati saree ehh!!" Mami teased.

Khushi chuckled and hugged her, "Sure Mami..."

Payal and Lavanya pulled Khushi aside and shoved a bag into her hands. Khushi looked at them in confusion, "What's this?"

Lavanya answered, "Quietly keep it in the suitcase."

Payal added, "Open it only when you get there."

Khushi nodded and hugged both of them. Khushi handed the bag to HP who put it in the SUV in one of the suitcases.

Arnav held both his brothers' shoulders, "Thanks for bearing double the office work till I'm back."

Akash replied, "Mention not bhai."

Dhruv added, "Yeah, don't worry... you'll return the favour, because when you all return La and I are going on our honeymoon... It's high time!" The brothers all laughed and hugged each other.

Lastly came Anjali, she hugged Arnav tightly and Arnav stated while laughing, "We're not going forever Di... we'll be back!!"

Anjali frowned and smacked her brother on his arm. "Take care of my bhabhi and my niece."

Arnav pointed to himself, "What Di? Nothing for me? I was expecting at least a raksha dagga. I'm disappointed."

Anjali fumed, "Chotte!!" She touched Khushi's shoulder, "I know my bhabhi is there to take care of you." Arnav and Khushi smiled.

Anjali hugged Khushi and Sakshi, "I'll miss you all."

Vihaan pulled Arnav aside, "Take care of them. You better not make my sister cry."

Arnav looked over at Khushi and replied, "I promise."

With that they said goodbye once more and left for the airport.

***

As the plane took off into the air Khushi became more relaxed while Sakshi nuzzled in the warmth of her daddy's arms.

A while later Arnav's voice broke Khushi's trance as he whispered, "Khushi main washroom ja raha hoon." (I'm going to the washroom.) Khushi nodded and took Sakshi into her arms. As he got up he asked, "Want anything?" She declined and he moved towards the washroom.

On his way back from the washroom, there was some turbulence and one of the flight attendants crashed against Arnav's chest. Arnav steadied the lady and asked, "You okay?"

She nodded, "Thanks... by the way I'm Alisha." Arnav looked at the lady in front of him, tall, slim, beautiful no doubt. He replied, "Arnav."

Just as he was about to walk off she asked, "So Arnav where are you headed?"

Arnav could sense her flirtatious mood, so he held up his right hand and indicated to his ring. He answered, "I'm headed to my wifeee Alisha." He stressed on the word wife.' She backed away and he made his way to his seat.

As soon as he settled into his seat, Khushi wound her arm around Arnav.

Arnav pulled back in worry as he heard her sniffles, "What's wrong?"

Khushi gulped, "Woh the turbulence. I was alone and I..."

Arnav ran his hand through her hair, "Don't worry I'm here now."

Khushi nodded and rested her head on Arnav's shoulder for the remainder of the flight while Sakshi slept in her arms.

After a brief stop at the London airport, they took the connecting flight to reach the Caribbean. After flying for a couple of hours Khushi looked out the window and saw the plane nearing an island.

"Its beautiful!" She exclaimed.

Arnav looked over and replied, "It is. It's actually a twin island; Trinidad and Tobago. We gonna visit both islands. We're going to visit the smaller island, Tobago first. But in order to get to Tobago, we have to land in Trinidad and take a smaller plane to reach there."

She shifted her gaze to the plane's window, "I'm excited."

They landed in Trinidad and after a quick 20 minute flight to Tobago; they were finally at their vacation destination.

Once they walked out of departures, someone waved at in Arnav's direction and came towards them. As the guy came closer, his features became more visible. He was tall, handsome, well-toned and fair skinned. Arnav hugged him.

When they pulled apart, Arnav turned to Khushi and said, "Khushi meet my high school friend Karan." He turned back to Karan, "And this is my wife Khushi and my daughter Sakshi."

Karan moved forward and gave Khushi a friendly handshake, "Hi Khushi"

"Hello." Khushi smiled and replied.

Karan looked at Sakshi in Khushi's arms and said, "She definitely took by her mother." He quickly added, "Thank god for that!!" Khushi laughed while Arnav frowned at his friend and wacked him on his shoulder.

Karan surrendered his hands, "Okay okay... let's get going... you all must be tired."

They nodded. Karan brought the car around and he and Arnav placed the luggage in it. They all got in and Karan took them to where they were going to stay for the next couple of days.

After a 5 minute drive from the airport, Karan pulled up to a lovely 3 bedroom, 2 bath villa with a pool. They all made their way out of the vehicle.

Khushi took in the surroundings, "Wow... this is pretty."

Karan said, "Home sweet home right Arnav."

Arnav exclaimed, "Absolutely... I missed this place."

Karan turned to Khushi, "Arnav and I pooled together and bought this place after school. It's home away from home."

Khushi held Sakshi while Arnav and Karan took out the suitcases. Karan pressed the doorbell and a pretty girl in her mid 20's opened the door.

She smiled warmly and said, "Hi."

Karan put the suitcase down and put his arm around her, "This is my wife Kritika." He turned to Kritika, "You know Arnav, and this is his wife Khushi and his daughter Sakshi."

"Hi Khushi..." Kritika hugged Khushi and kissed Sakshi.

Arnav smirked, "Kritu... how are you? Hope he's treating you well..."

She laughed hearing her school nickname, "I'm great Arnav...and yes I feel like a princess." Karan kissed her forehead and she blushed.

Khushi smiled seeing their love for each other. Arnav smirked and teased, "Come on we've got little baby here."

Karan retorted, "I'm sure Khushi and you do far worse in front of her."

Khushi lowered her gaze with the tinge of a blush now visible on her cheeks. Arnav diverted the topic, "Karan shut up... Can we come in or you're gonna keep us standing here all day?"

Kritika quickly said, "Come in..."

Karan picked up the suitcase and walked in, "By all means..."

Khushi put Sakshi down and she toddled in front of Kritika and herself. Arnav pulled the suitcases inside and placed them into his room.

They all had something to eat and then Kritika gave Khushi a tour of the entire house while Karan joined Arnav who took Sakshi into the room to clean her up for her nap.

Karan looked on at his best friend, "You're a changed man Arnav."

Arnav laughed as he tied Sakshi's hair in two ponytails, "For the better I'm assuming."

Karan smiled, "Yeah... Its obvious Khushi and this little one had a lot to do with that."

Arnav nodded and smiled, "They had everything to do with it."

Kritika and Khushi entered Arnav's room and saw the two guys casually chatting, they joined them and soon after Kritika said, "Okay, you all get some rest. I'm sure you're tired. It was a long flight. We'll see you all in the morning." They nodded and Karan got up leaving the room with Kritika.

Arnav put Sakshi into the crib he had made Karan get for him. He opened one of the suitcases and fished out something comfortable to wear. He made his way into the wash and freshened up.

Whilst Khushi started unpacking the other suitcase and began putting the essential things they needed into the cupboard.

Arnav came out and helped unpack the other suitcase. That was when he saw a strange bag in the suitcase he was looking in. He asked, "Khushi is this yours?"

Khushi looked up and answered, "Yeah Lavanyaji and jiji gave it to me. I didn't open it. You can open it." She said not thinking too much about it and continued packing the cupboard. He nodded and opened the packet from the bag. Arnav held up the contents of the bag, "Khushi..." Khushi looked at Arnav's hands and saw what he was holding.

He said, "They gifted you lingerie." Khushi turned red and grabbed the clothes from his hands. She pushed them into the bag and placed it at the bottom of her suitcase. She got her sleeping wear and marched into the washroom, not meeting his gaze. Arnav chuckled at her actions; he moved to his side of the bed and laid down.

Luckily when Khushi emerged from the washroom, Arnav was asleep. She sighed in relief and checked on Sakshi who was in her crib beside their bed. Once she was fine, Khushi laid down on her side of the bed. Arnav opened his eyes feeling the bed dip, he turned and asked, "Khushi you okay?" She looked at him and said, "I'm fine." Arnav nodded and extended his hand in between their pillows. She smiled and placed her hand in his. They closed their eyes and fell asleep soon after, as exhaustion got the best of them.

Next - Chapter 18 A & B

Please read the note below. __________________________________________________________________

I know this update is later than late...like months late. Sorry. 🤔 Do like and comment!!😊