ARHI FF:Strings Of Illusion-T7| CHP 44 - PG 129|LINK to THREAD 8-Pg 1* - Page 69

CHAPTER 43

Khushi twirled around on her bare feet as she watched her full ghagra of her lehenga flair around her legs...it was a stunning Sabyasachi design (See below) with a lot of minute work on the dupatta, which she had chosen after a lot of deliberation.

The white, gold & silver colors especially made her skin glow while her hazel eyes, seemed to have gotten brighter than usual...probably in anticipation of meeting Arnav after so many days apart

"Khushi! What are you still doing here? You have to go down with Akhil remember..." her maasi said as she walked into Khushi's hotel room that was kept unlocked "Haan maasi...I was just finishing up...I'll go now" she said smiling as she slipped her feet into her silver and gold heels while Trisha came and stood in front of her

She swiped some kajal from her eyes and placed it behind khushi's ears "You are looking beautiful beta...and soon you too will be a blushing bride if the rumors heard are true" her maasi said with a wink as khushi's mouth turned into an o'

"Naani..." she muttered as Trisha hit her lightly on her shoulder "As if you would not have told me!" she said as Khushi hugged her maasi tightly "I wanted to tell you, but after this wedding...and that too aaram se with chai-shai, cause I know you will have tons of questions for me!" Khushi said with a giggle as Trisha laughed "That I do...but I'm so happy for you...you both are just perfect!" she said as Khushi rolled her eyes

"We are not marrying Maasi...at least not right away...but thanks for saying that...I do love him...a lot" Khushi said with a blush as Trisha smiled warmly and entwined her hand with Khushi's as they walked out towards the ballroom where the wedding guests were assembled for the bride and groom to make an appearance

...

"Stop fidgeting bhai...I'm sure she'll be here in a second..." Aakash said as Arnav kept turning his head towards the long staircase of the grand ballroom, waiting for Khushi to come down along with her brother for the reception; he could see the bridal party too making their way from the other staircase

"I am not fidgeting...I'm just..." Arnav said as he stopped talking; his breath getting caught at the sight of Khushi walking down the stairway...At this point he did not have any words to describe her...or her beauty which seemed to be shining more than usual, even giving a complex to the actual bride

The beautiful striking white and gold further high-lighted the milky smoothness of her skin while the fitting miniscule choli made Arnav's mouth water in sinful thoughts...it also did not help that her perfect waistline was on full display which the embellished dupatta was not really hiding at all, instead it teased Arnav more at the way it sat perfectly on her chest...But the thing that really took the cherry was the radiant happiness glowing on her face...and he fell in love just a little bit more

"So...here she comes...won't you officially introduce us beta?" his bua broke his thoughts as she teased him along with Aakash...He ignored them and started walking slowly towards the stage, his eyes not leaving Khushi as they headed towards the beautifully decorated stage. It delighted him to see Khushi's eyes searching for him amongst the assembled guests

Earlier, when they had walked into the ballroom, they were greeted warmly by Khushi's naani and her mother who both seemed to be looking at him with more than usual interest and tenderness. He knew Khushi had told them about their relationship, but this was the first time he was meeting them after being officially declared as Khushi's boyfriend...at least to the family

It had been an awkward few minutes as his grandfather and bua had enthusiastically met Khushi's family and shared knowing glances as if they had some secret agenda to discuss which he was pretty sure, they did...but thanks to the ever increasing guests, he could quickly escape from there and since then he had been desperately waiting to see Khushi

He stopped near one of the pillars and observed as the Jai mala'* garlands were exchanged and the to-be bride and groom went to sit on their prepared thrones as people came to meet them...according to the north Indian tradition, the reception was taking place first before the actual wedding which would be held in the early morning at around 2am

He smirked as Khushi's eyes finally found his and her eyes widened in joy as she took in his ensemble (see below)...he had thought that he should meet her demands midway and so had opted for a dark printed bandhgala over dark brown jodhpurs...it was stylish and he knew he looked good in it as he observed Khushi staring at him shamelessly

He blinked his eyes at her once as she gave him a 100 watt smile and looked around to find a way to get away from the stage...but as she was about to walk down, someone held her back and she had to return back to her place as people came to congratulate her brother and his bride...she looked up apologetically at Arnav who gave her an understanding look and smiled making her want to run into his arms

...

Khushi had been trying unsuccessfully to get out of her duty of being the groom's sister and go to meet Arnav who had been standing looking at her. Their eyes speaking a language of their own, as they felt more and more desperate to be in each other's arms...to touch...to kiss...all those days apart had been a torture

"Congratulations" Khushi's came out of her thoughts as she found Arnav standing very close to her, in front of Akhil and Mihika as he wished them...the rest of his family too was congratulating them while Khushi felt her heart do flip-flops watching Arnav smile and laugh.

She had been admiring his attire all this while from afar, but as he came so close, she could not help but marvel at the fantastic choice of clothing that emphasized his broad shoulders and lean body to perfection...now if only all these people would not have been here

"Hello Khushi" Arnav said softly as she smiled while saying a quick hello to him...she then turned to his family who stood observing both of them "Paddu bua and Mr Raizada...thank you so much for coming..." she said as Arnav's bua came and hugged her tightly "Pleasure is ours dear...after all we are practically family now!" she said as Arnav's grandfather too blessed her "You should start calling me dadaji now Khushi beta" he said as Khushi blushed, making Arnav roll his eyes at her

"Or Yudi...he prefers that" Aakash suddenly popped around as Arnav gave him an irritated look "Oh Aakash...so nice to see you...thanks for coming" Khushi started saying when the photographer asked them to stand with the bride and groom for the customary photograph

Arnav took this golden opportunity to stand right next to Khushi and wound his arms around her slim waist, making Khushi's body tremble as his calloused hand drew lazy circle on her open bare back and waist...making her gulp her rising desire "When can you meet me" Arnav whispered in her ear as she closed her eyes at the sinful pleasure his breath left on her senses

"After the reception and dinner...room 1204..." Khushi whispered back as Arnav pinched her lightly on her waist before smirking and leaving...leaving her feeling bereft of his warmth...she just had to wait for the damn reception to get over

...

"Yes mamma...I'm going to go and freshen up and then change for the phera's" Khushi said as the Akhil and Mihika left for their rooms to rest for a bit before the wedding rituals that were supposed to start in about two hours "You also go and rest...or would you prefer chit-chatting with a certain someone?" Khushi asked, wiggling her eyebrows, as Garima hit her lightly on her arm

"Chup...besharam! Shashi and Payal will be coming for the phera's only...so there is still some time for that" she said blushing as Khushi hugged her tightly "Ma...its so wonderful to see you smile so much" Khushi said as she saw Aakash saunter lazily towards them

"Bha...I mean Khushi..." He said as Garima giggled while Khushi glared at them "When are the actual Phera's? Bhai was asking as he and I will be staying back for them...Dadaji and Bua are heading back home" he said as Garima suddenly interrupted them "Oh...yes, Padmini did say they are not staying back for the wedding...I'll just go and say bye to them" she said as Khushi turned back to Aakash

"Why does your bhai want to stay back? As it is, most of the guests have left...except for some close family" she said with a slight smile and Aakash let out a laugh "Oh I know that...but seeing him fume and get irritated at everything and everyone for the last three hours...staying back for a few more hours should not be a problem...as it is...he is pretty close to you right?" he whispered as Khushi laughed along with him

"Yes, I could see his lovely mood fluctuating all night...anyways, its in two hours...but I'll go tell him that...meanwhile, you enjoy the musical program and other fun stuff that has been planned for all late night guests...I am sure you will be more than happy you stayed back" she said cryptically, leaving Aakash puzzled as she patted him arm and went to find Arnav

...

"Where is he?" Khushi muttered under her breath, as she walked slowly to her room. She had explicityly asked him to meet her near her room, but had not been able to locate him anywhere...had he knocked and left?

She was still in her thought as she opened her room door, but as soon as she walked into the darkened room, a hand stopped the door from closing and pulled her flush against the now closed door, taking her by surprise...it was so sudden that before she could scream, her mouth was shut closed by a soft but urgent pair of lips...Arnav's lips

She moaned and opened her mouth as soon as she registered Arnav pressing her against the wooden door with his body while his hands held her by the waist and nape...he tiled her head for better access to her mouth as she responded wantonly to his insistent kisses

"God...I missed you soo much" Arnav mumbled as Khushi raked her fingers into his short hair and held on the silky strands while he continued to plunder her mouth, albeit more softly than before...she felt her toes curl as he kissed her with so much tender hunger that her body went limp in complete surrender to his loving caresses

Arnav smiled as her hold on him loosened and her arms went around his neck, hugging him with all her might "I missed you too" she said as he hugged her back, burying his face in her fragrant hair...he then picked her up in his arms as she held him by his shoulders and smiled brightly as he took them to the couch and made her sit on his lap

"I was going mad Khushi...how do you even know so many people!" Arnav whined as she kissed him softly on his eyes, then his jaw while he sighed in satisfaction...she giggled as she held his upturned collar and brushed her nose with his "I didn't know all of them baby...but courtesy calls" she said as Arnav pulled her closer to himself, her legs curling against his strong thighs making her squeal

"I love this bandhgala...you look so hot..." she said in a throaty murmur as she trailed her hands over the rich raw silk while he pushed her silky hair behind her ear "I thought I should meet you half-way...I would never say a no to anything you ask of me...if its within reason" he said with a smile, as she leaned forward and kissed him softly on his cheek "Thank you" she whispered as Arnav shook his head "That's not the thank you I hoped for Ms Gupta" he said as she pushed him back and stood up from his lap

"What kind of Thank you do you want then Mr Raizada?" she teased him as he pretended to think, making her giggle "You haven't told me what you think of my lehenga" she said as his eyes went darker than before as they trailed blatantly on her delectable form making her shiver in anticipation

"I liked it so much, that I could not help but think when I could tear it off you" he said as Khushi gasped and walked a few steps back "Thank God you told me...I love this dress too much to get it torn off by you...so to avoid you tearing it off and to give you a better thank you...why don't I take it off myself?" she asked wiggling her eyebrows as Arnav shifted in his seat, to make his suddenly aroused lower half more comfortable

"Khushi...it wouldn't help my current state if you speak like this...You know I won't be able to..." he started saying when Khushi's hand went to the pin that held the dupatta of the lehenga in place on both her shoulders "Then don't...just relax and let me thank you properly baby" she said as the dupatta came slithering off her body

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As their bodies relaxed and the aftermath of the beautiful but intense lovemaking made them lie satiated on the couch, Arnav pulled Khushi tightly in his arms, his fingers brushing away the errant hairs that were now stuck to her forehead "You have to move in with me...we'll get a house together...I can't live without you another day Khushi...please...tell me you will" he said as Khushi buried her head in his neck and sighed

"I wish it were that simple Arnav...this is India and I have my family and even your family...it won't be that easy" she said as she looked at his handsome face, as he kissed her softly "But we'll find a solution...I know we will...and once all this craziness is over...you and I will take a long vacation...just us...no work...only pleasure...and more pleasure..." he said as his hands started caressing her bare warm body

Khushi giggled and pushed him away as she got up and pulled his bandhgala jacket over her naked form "Yes we will, but now, I have exactly half an hour to get ready and reach in time for the pheras...and you too need to make yourself presentable...so chop chop Mr Raizada...we shall continue this...some other time" she said as Arnav shamelessly got up and started making his way towards her with a mischievous smile making her squeal and rush into the bathroom...both of them finally realizing the completeness they felt with each other.