||~Something About You~||#13 *COMPLETED*21/08/DT NOTE: PG 32

Beautiful. Ethereal. Exquisite. These were the only words Arnav could think of as he saw the girl in front of her. As he saw her pink lips curve petulantly, a loving smile grew on his lips, & right at that moment she looked up at him, & Arnav was mesmerized by the large, clear Hazel orbs. & he was instantly reminded of the day, he had first noticed Khushi's eyes under the sunlight, & realized, they burned like liquid Gold whenever her eyes met his.

Arnav sighed contentedly at the happy memory as his eyes travelled down to the chubby, red cheeks. The cute, buttony, red nose. & the unbelievably long lashes, which swept over her cheeks as she slept soundly. Arnav reached out almost compulsively & stroked one of her chubby cheeks with his right thumb.

He was still stroking her cheeks lovingly, when a teasing voice whispered close to his ears, "So.. you've moved on to the next pretty face, huh?? You couldn't even wait till we were properly married?" & then a dramatic sigh was followed by the words almost bubbling with laughter, "I always knew this would happen.. but so soon? I had no-" Arnav turned his head sharply, & bellowed, "Shut up, Red!" & Khushi immediately raised the index fingers of both her hands in front her lips in a hushing manner as her eyes rounded in a murderous warning. & when Arnav cocked his left eyebrow in a query regarding her expression, Khushi nodded towards the only other person in the room, sleeping peacefully, & chided Arnav in a hushed tone, "Bachchi's nap will be disrupted! & then she will bring down the whole house with her wailing! You know that!"

Arnav looked at the two girls, currently his two most favorite persons in the whole wide world, in turns & then said in an exaggerated sigh, "Yep.. She has got that talent alright! Bringing down the house.. Everyone is so right! Bilkool apni Chhoti Mami par gayi hain!(She is just like her Chhoti Mami!)" Khushi was intently admiring the sleeping baby in the peach-colored cot in front of her, but as soon as Arnav"s last words entered her ears, she turned towards him in a combative manner & pointed her index finger towards him as she started hotly, "Sochiyega bhi matt! Hum?.. Mami?.. Kyun bane?? Aap Fufaji bano!(Don"t even think about it! I?.. Mami?.. Why should I be that? You be a Fufaji!)" & at the completely unsavory prospect of being called 'Fufaji' by the little angel that was his niece, Arnav forgot again that they had a sleeping baby amongst them, & started in a loud shout, "I-?"

Khushi immediately raised both her index fingers in front of her mouth again & made a hushed 'sush' sound, & Arnav immediately swiped her fingers aside with his own index finger as he said irritatedly, "Stop 'sush'- There's no way she's calling me something as tacky as 'Fufa'-" & Khushi instantly added with a mock courteous smile, "Ji! Fufaji!" Arnav threw her a positively menacing glare as he folded his arms in front of his chest, & countered tightly, "Ji nahi! Fufaji! Aisa stupid idea sirf tumhe hi aa sakta hain, Khushi Kumari Gupta!(Only can come up with such a stupid idea, Khushi Kumari Gupta!)" Khushi pouted at his scathing tone, & turning her face sideways she looked away from him as she asked in a low voice, "Yeh kaisa taana huwa? Aur agar apko inta hi aitraaz hain, toh matt baniye na Fufaji! Matt kijiye iski Fui se shaadi!(What kind of a taunt is this? & if you have so many objections, then don't be Fufaji na! Don't get married to her Fui!)"

This time Arnav detected the hurt in her voice & all of his anger started ebbing away instantly as he took in the girl standing in front him. Clad in one of her many floral, flowy, short dresses, a few loose tendrils of hair flying around her face, her gorgeous Golden eyes looking stubbornly away from him, she looked a dream come true to him.. a dream he hadn't known he had dreamt until she became the biggest reality of all for him. As Arnav took in the pouting lips, he sighed regrettably as he remembered he was under her parents' roof, her rules dictated this was a strict 'no touching/funny business' zone. But Arnav Singh Raizada was not very good at following rules when it came to Khushi Kumari Gupta, & it was this thought that prompted him to grab a hold of her elbow, & pull her towards him in a flash with a slight jerk.

Khushi landed over his chest awkwardly, & grudgingly started to pull herself back, when she felt his lips moving against the mole beside her right ear, "Then we've got a problem, Red.. See, I have the hots for her Fui! I mean, yeah, she's not as gorgeous or breath-taking as angel here is," he gestured towards the sleeping baby with a light jerk of his head & continued, "but, she's not that bad either.. Plus, she's totally crazy.. & I think, even Laxmi has more brain cells than she has.. & I think, I am kind of her last hope!" & stopped with a 'auk' sound as Khushi punched his side really hard & tried to pull away from him, but Arnav held on, & then with a forceful jerk pulled her even closer to his body as he exclaimed in a low whisper, now totally serious, "Plus, she's kinda my last hope.. & I am only horrified at being called 'Fufaji', but I am totally looking forward to being angel's Fufaji!"

Khushi looked at the honest expression in his chocolate brown eyes, & then she wordlessly leaned over & pressed a quick kiss on his lips. & before Arnav could take things on from there, she wriggled of his arms, & ignoring Arnav's vexed expression, she looked down at the sleeping baby, & then looking up, raised her eyebrows at Arnav as she asked, "Wanna hold her?" Arnav instantly forgot his disappointment of not being able to cash in on her nearness in time, & nodded his head eagerly. Khushi smiled indulgently, & bent down to pick up the sleeping soft bundle in her arms, & once she had the baby safely tucked in her arms, she beckoned the greedily looking Arnav towards themselves.

Arnav went slowly, & when he reached them, instead of taking the baby off from Khushi's arms, he went around & circled his arms around her, & cradled the baby by enveloping Khushi arms. This was the only way he held the baby.. when she was in Khushi's arms. As far as the others were concerned, Arnav had yet to hold the baby in his arms because of his fear that he might drop her, because she was so tiny. But when he was alone with Khushi, he would eagerly ask Khushi to hold the baby up in her arms & he would cradle the baby by engulfing both Khushi & the baby in his arms, as he did now.

Khushi slowly leaned back & rested most of her weight over his chest, & she kept her head on his shoulder, when he said, intently looking at the baby in their arms, "You know, everyone is right. She does have an uncanny resemblance with you! All those red chubby cheeks, & the red little nose! Rohan is so right to call her Muskaan after your name! Too bad I can't call her li'l Red.. Then I'd have to explain too much about our history to everyone!" Khushi immediately turned towards him & warned him with a completely serious expression, "It's OK if Bhaiya calls her Bachchi.. She has the first right on his endearments now.. But I won't tolerate you calling anyone Red, but me,samjhe aap? You & your endearments.. are all mine. Bas!" Then she smiled a little, & looked down at the little angel who everyone said was a little Khushi, but she personally thought, Muskaan had brought far more happiness to their family, & she was certainly far far more beautiful. & with a little giggle, she expressed her opinion to Arnav.

Arnav twisted his pouting lips thoughtfully in such way that now it was Khushi who suddenly started to resent the fact that her family members were around the house somewhere, but she came out of her hot haze as Arnav said curtly in a serious manner, "Comparing you & angel looks-wise isn't sensible, but yeah, I'd say she has brought more luck to me atleast than you did!" Khushi turned her head sideways to look at him as she asked what he meant by that, & Arnav said, with more than a little satisfaction in his tone, "Her arrival meant it was time for us to get married! If she weren't here yet, we wouldn't be getting an engagement party next Tuesday, Red!! So, I'd say, she's the luckiest chick I have met in my life!" & as Khushi gave out an involuntarily loud laugh, Arnav's head suddenly swooped down to drink in that laughter from her lips.

In any case, he figured he could counter the 'no touching/kissing under her parents' roof' rule by the argument that he was just trying to keep Khushi quite so that her loud laughter didn't wake Muskaan up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arnav looked to his right wrist to check the time out of habit & then cursed softly under his breath as the very wide golden applique work of the sherwani from his own designer label caught his eyes. He suppressed one of a series of shuddering sighs at the sight. All for her happiness, he reminded himself for the umpteenth time since he had put the outfit on.

It was for Khushi that he was in this very uncharacteristic sherwani. It was for Khushi that he was having an engagement party on a Tuesday night, instead of a Saturday/Sunday night, cos she wanted it this way. It was also because of her that he had agreed to the little charade, when she had taken off her ring, the one he had given to her on Anajli & Akaash's engagement night, & the one they had fought so bitterly over, & given it to his Nani the day before, so that their Panditji could use it in the pooja to be blessed before the ring ceremonies. If it hadn't been for her insistence, then Arnav wouldn't have let her take that ring off of her finger for even a fleeting second. & now after the usual blessing rituals & ring ceremony was over, here he was, standing irritated, entertaining a flock of guests that showed no signs of retiring yet, when it was almost midnight & he had an early morning meeting tomorrow. & it was all because of Khushi!

& just as he thought of her, she appeared in front of him suddenly & as his fell on her, Arnav forgot his earlier annoyance with her. She was wearing something he himself had designed for her, especially for their engagement. & remembering the abomination of a blouse he had designed for her to wear at Anjali & Akaash's engagement party, Arnav had been especially careful not to repeat that blunder again. & now looking at the pretty girl in pink, Arnav admitted to himself that he might have over-compensated a bit. The sleeveless upper half of the lehenga outfit tailed out in extra long cloak like portions over the white lehenga, & the pink sequined top almost covered the lehenga to its pink embroidered borders, so that one only got a fleeting peek at the white part of the lehenga when Khushi moved. With her hair done in a messy, curly bun, with golden pins holding them in place, she looked even more beautiful than a princess. & Arnav remembered once again why he chose Pink for her to wear today. Because after Red, Pink was the color in which he loved Khushi the best.

He was mesmerizingly staring at her, when she came hurriedly holding the sides of her dress up in both her fists, & upon reaching her, without saying anything to him, she caught hold of his hand & then surreptitiously dragged him behind her, smiling perfunctorily at one or two guests on her way as she passed them. Arnav didn't ask her anything & followed silently, until to his surprise, she left the garden area of Shantivan where the celebration were taking place, & entered the house to lead him hurriedly towards the staircase leading to the upper level of the house. He was about to ask her what was on her mind, when she turned the corner, & then led them towards his own room. A sudden thought entered his mind, & Arnav happily snaked an arm around Khushi's waist & pulled her back towards his body & whispered in her ear, "Oh so, you wanted to be alone with me? Red, admit it! You're crazy about me-"

But his words trailed away as Khushi pushed the door of his room open & lead him onto the poolside. It was decorated with a lot of fairy lights, which Arnav had seen the Prakash brothers set up earlier that day. But what he hadn't seen them arrange were the armchairs around the low round table, upon which a small round cake was set with a single candle set beside it. Khushi let go of Arnav's hand finally, & stepping out of the circle of his arm, she walked towards the table & then she turned around to face a faintly surprised Arnav.

Arnav looked at the slight smile on her lips & the twinkling glint in her eyes, & as he wondered to himself how on earth did she manage to pull off such an arrangement in his poolside without him knowing, he remarked slowly, "You didn't!" Khushi immediately jumped up excitedly & clapped her hands in front of her chest as she retorted loudly, "You bet I did! Why do you think I insisted on having the engagement party on a Tuesday? & why do you think everyone backed me up?" Arnav's lips parted slightly at the thought of how much planning must have gone on between Khushi & his family members for this surprise, & he said faintly, "You're unbelievable, Red! You tampered with our engagement date because of this?! Red, I don't celebrate my-"

Khushi held up the palm of her right hand to stop him & said forcefully, "Humein paata hain! Everyone was going on & on about that! Chhote doesn't like all this! He doesn't celebrate this day!" & suddenly she rested both her hands on her waist, & said decisively, "Well, now you do! Cause this day is pretty special to me!" & before Arnav could respond to her, she broke off in a sudden run & reaching him, she kissed him lightly on the lips & then said in a cheerful voice, "Happy birthday, Laad Governor!" & when Arnav said nothing, but just looked at her with intently glinting eyes, she asked in a little voice, apprehensive of her plans for the first time, "Do you really hate it so much?"

Arnav took in the cloudy expression in her otherwise beautiful face & he instantly shook the melancholic thoughts running in his head away & this time he took her hand & as he walked to the armchairs & sitting down upon one of them, he gently pulled Khushi down over his lap. Khushi settled herself comfortably, not saying a single word, & Arnav waited till she leaned over his chest, & then he hugged her to him by entwining their arms over her stomach, & then resting his head sideways on hers, he explained falteringly, "I haven't celebrated a birthday, Red.. not since Ma..It's just that, she used to be so thrilled on such days.. that after she was gone Di & I never really had the nerve or the wish to mark these days in any significant way. It's nothing more than that."

Khushi didn't say anything for a long time, & then she sat up slightly & turning her upper body fully towards him, she said in thoughtful way, "See, if this helps in making the day a bit significant or not?" & then leaning over, she kissed Arnav's lower lips with light butterfly kisses, & when she felt Arnav sighing against her lips, she gave in & took his lips in a fully smoldering kiss. & then, after some long moments, she pulled back & looked at him questioningly. Arnav's gaze was locked on her lipstick smudged lips, & he said only after taking a big gulp of breath, "It's a good thing that I was already sitting down, Red, otherwise..! & if that's an example of the birthday gifts you're planning on giving me, I promise, I'd celebrate 40 birthdays a year!"

Khushi laughed delightfully at his solemnly mesmerized expression & after pressing another brief kiss on his parted lips, said breathlessly, "Promise me, you'll make me feel this much wanted.. always.. for the rest of our lives!" Arnav retorted equally promptly, "Promise me, you'll overlook my ASR phases & will bring out the Arnav in me.. always.. for the rest of our lives as you do now!"

Khushi laughed at his own derision of his angry fits, & Arnav suddenly cupped her right cheek & said in a low voice, "As long as I can make you laugh like that, we are good, Red!" Khushi clutched at his hand over her cheek & said in a teasing voice, "In other words, you love me, right?" But instead of lightening up, Arnav looked even more serious than before as he said, "I probably don't say it enough-" & immediately understanding what he was talking about, Khushi rushed in to clear his self-remorse, "These 3 words are said too much.. they're overused.. But your heartbeats tell mine.. whenever we are close. & I know, you feel that as well as I do. Humari dhadkaane ek jo hain!(Our heartbeats are one after all!)"

Arnav looked at her large hazel eyes, at that moment more Golden than he had ever seen them as the fairy light reflected on them, & kissing the tip of her nose, he ordered, "Promise me, you'll never let me dampen your enthusiasm for surprises!" Khushi readily nodded. Arnav dropped a light kiss on her right cheek & said in a voice lower than before, "Promise me, you'll always give the same gift to me on each of my birthdays for the rest of our lives as the one you gave a couple of minutes ago." Khushi instantly nodded as her cheeks flamed a bright red color. Arnav kissed her flaming left cheek, & said in a barely audible whisper, "Promise me, after we're married, you'll always sleep in the nude." Khushi nodded determinedly, & then she stopped with a jerk & instantly tried to move her head back as his words finally sank in, but Arnav was too quick for her. He took her lips in such a demanding kiss that within 5 seconds they both came up for air panting, & as soon as Arnav got his voice back, he said with smirk, "They are Red!.. Your cheeks.." Khushi slapped his chest playfully for his earlier insolent words & said grudgingly, "Obviously they are.." & then she smiled slyly & said happily, "I am my Laad Governor's Red after all."

Arnav cocked his left eyebrow up in a challenging way & then before he took her lips in another scorching, & lengthier kiss than the ones shared before, he said smugly, "In other words, you love me!" & as they kissed, engrossed in each other, the candles, the rose petals & the small knife laid there, abandoned, by the side of the small chocolate cake, upon which, in Red bold colors, the words glinted in the lights from the fairy light, "Happy Birthday Fufaji!"

Farah,

I love you damn it❤️!!

For giving this beautiful OS on this special day Sobti's Birthday. And this is such a special gift to all Sobti as well as SAY fans.

SAY is probably the best way to celebrate Barun's Birthday.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this post and hand to blink my eyes few times😵.

You know I joined SAY very late, but the story, your writing and the warm welcome from you made be connect to SAY deeply. Now reading this OS Khushi's floral dress, their nok, jhok, their fights, their passionate kisses, endearments felt like old times of SAY, like old times of IPK; the times we all waited for 8 PM, for pre-caps, for off screen masti. It just brought some lovely memories back!! I am very happy that SAY evokes such cheerfulness👏👏👏.

It was endearing to see that they are still fighting and arguing but they are not as escalated as in the past; these has more domesticity and naughtiness to it. Arnav has let Khushi completely take him over mind, body, soul and heart and she has become core of his existence so much so that he is bending his rules, beliefs for Khushi's happiness. He trusts her to bring out the Arnav in him. Khushi has completely tuned herself to Arnav's love and his way of expressing love. He is THE priority for her and so much so that she understands and knows him more than herself. She just wants to erase the bitter memories from Arnav's life.

Their love, passion and desire is growing every day and with every moment they are spending together.

May this Laad Governor and his Red live happily ever after celebrating Birthdays and many occasions in their own special way (ahem, ahem).

It was pleasure reading this and I am thrilled to bits. Please please continue to give us such pleasant surprises.

This OS makes me want to read once again and made me realize how much I miss SAY and your writing.

This is for you🤗🤗

PS: Priya and Vandana Thank You for keeping SAY thread alive, you guys ROCK, bas🤗!!