Part- 32
"I somehow felt that I might find you here." Arnav told to her back.
"I am Sorry." He heard and was taken aback hearing her response while she cleared, "I shouldn't have walked away but I didn't know what happened to me there. I just felt like running away. I am sorry. You weren't wrong, it was just me being impossible..." he heard her exhale loudly.
Arnav sighed and went to sit by her side.
He took a good look of her face and found the tear marks. He felt a weight on his chest. Slowly he took out a packet from his trouser pocket and forwarded the object towards her looking other way but smiled hearing her loud exclaim of delight.
It was a pack of Cadbury Nutties, Khushi's favorite. She loved sweets and she had this special love for this particular delight.
It was a secret he came to know from La a few days back, but with that she told another fact about Khushi that she never bought a single piece of chocolate for her since she was eight, though it was her weakness.
Whenever she got a chance she would buy a bar or a whole box and give it to her brother just to see him enjoying eating them. Hence La and NK had made it a point to give Khush a Cadbury once a week from their pocket money, knowing she wouldn't care to have it for herself.
He shook his head. Yes he knew he had over-reacted. He knew she was trying but sometimes he felt not enough.
Khushi by the time popping nutties one after one in her mouth and she looked considerably better and he smiled. She looked cute.
"What is it Khushi?"
Khushi was startled by the sudden question from him and when she turned she found him scrutinizing her face which made her a little conscious.
"Why do you ask that?" She managed to smile.
"You are disturbed. You didn't sleep well last night. And how far I know Khushi Kumari Gupta- Singh Raizada doesn't snap and walk away at the same time against her normal cool nature. So will you tell me already what's wrong?" He stated his observance of her face.
Khushi's eyes grew wide as she realized how transparent she was for him and then she smiled as she said, "Well when you already know then there is no point in lying ... Arnav nodded smirking however her face became little serious as she continued, but not now Arnav, today is a big day for you and for me too and I don't want to spoil this day, just a little also, for world. We will talk once we go back to Delhi, and believe me it's going to take a long time which we don't have right now", she said and stood up taking him along.
Arnav didn't know he should feel happy that she agreed to talk about her problems or get frustrated that she was again buying time, but anyways he decided not to push her. He had already made her run away from Mahal once and he didn't want to chase her away from Lucknow. He had real good plans for them tonight and he too didn't want to mess with that for world. So both started walking back to the Mahal when something struck to him as he asked, "Khushi why are you wearing this top, this is not at all your style."
Khsuhi didn't miss the laugh in his voice and spanked him hard making him shout, "Ouch! What was that for? You know if anyone sees a girl spanking Arnav Singh Raizada what my reputation would come down to be?" He raised his brows.
"Well Arnav Singh Raizada deserved that and I would be glad to tell them." Khushi replied twisting her lips.
"Why?" he asked innocently.
"You Monster your teeth mark is still visible on my neck and you ask why?" she spat making him smirk.
But he said little feigning worry, "Well that's bad news. Now how will you wear the dress that I have got for you tonight?"
Khushi looked at him little surprised, and he continued but this time there was no smugness on his face, "I know Khushi you said that you don't want any expensive gift from me and I have refrained myself many occasions to gift you things I have wanted to, but don't say no to this one. I have got it made especially for tonight, for our date. Please." He did make a puppy face knowing it always worked on her.
Khushi laughed shaking her head as she said, "I wasn't going to" making him grin.
He draped a hand casually on her shoulder saying, "Well then let's go. You need to take a beauty nap before you get ready for tonight."
She nodded and both walked towards the Mahal.
**
The celebration had begun, guests were swarming in.
Elites of Lucknow, Celebrities, close friend, business mates, and clients.
Simply A Grand Affair.
As spotlight fall on the man of the evening Arnav Singh Raizada. Male population envied the aura he had around him which screamed perfection, while ladies held their breath because they simply forgot breathing seeing the devilishly handsome man in side buttoned black jacket with a dark black pant before them.
He surely knew his effect on them as he smirked before descending the grand stairs of the grand hall of Shessh Mahal from the 1st floor.
People gathered around him to congratulate him, to have a word with him. Ladies just attacked him showering him with their kisses in the name of pleasantries which were unrequited.
Arnav just tried to be sane through this onslaught of overt friendliness whereas Akash who was equally blessed just enjoyed the moment.
Shyam whispered for Anjali's ears, "You brothers are some lucky devils."
Anjali hissed, "Are you complaining?"
Shyam sensed the danger as he hurriedly draped his hand around her shoulder and said kissing her cheek, "I am more than lucky actually."
Anjali blushed while Shyam exhaled in relief.
Devyani Raizada felt proud for her grandsons whereas Monohar and Monoroma looked a little wary seeing Akash's open flirt with the girls.
**
"Hi ASR"
Arnav turned to find La smiling at him, NK close behind. He smiled and welcomed them hugging warmly. Khushi didn't know but he had decided to call them as he thought they too had the right to join in this celebration. If not for them then Khushi wouldn't have been able to stay safe for so long while under threat and pass the papers to him.
He smiled broadly thinking how Khushi would be surprised to see them.
"So ASR, I have heard that you have made quite a progress with Khush," NK winked with the comment.
Arnav smirked.
La looked around asking, "Where is Khush? I am dying to meet her."
"Well madam is still yet to come down", Arnav informed.
"Oh God what did you do to my Blue, she never took so long for dressing up." NK feigned shock.
Arrnav looked up the stairs murmuring, "Well I am wondering the same."
NK and La both chuckled.
By the time Akash had spotted them, especially La and had come over to them.
"Hey beautiful", Akash greeted La,
NK cocked a brow as he clearly forgot to acknowledge him.
Arnav bit the inside of his cheek looking other way.
"Hey handsome", La was no less and she did wink at Akash.
NK choked and coughed while Arnav laughed openly at NK's predicament. He was yet to know the details of their double date.
Suddenly the hall fell in a hush as if somebody had pressed the mute button.
Their small group of four followed other's line of vision and saw what even took La's breathe away.
**
Khushi stood, at the top of the stairs, looking down.
She looked every bit of the Royalty she was, elegant and magnificent.
All strared at her mesmerized by her charm, but her eyes were glued to the only one person who looked caught up in a web of fantasy, where beautiful angels were reality.
She wore the black gown Arnav had kept for her on her bed this afternoon and no jewelries at all. Her hair tied in an elegant bun. A few tendrils falling on her face. Her makeup was minimal but her eyes were smoky and her lips were adored in the color of passion.
She slowly with grace started to climb down the stairs and involuntarily Arnav took steps forward to her. By the time she was on the third last step, Arnav stretched his right hand for her to take, and she placed her left hand in his open palm without delaying a second. Her eyes smiled at him as her face glowed.
The Men envied his luck a little more where the ladies sighed.
La, NK and Akash smiled at their friend and brother.
Anjali simply had tears in her eyes seeing the love shone in their eyes for each other. They were irrevocably in love and there was no doubt.
Shyma gave her side hug smiling to the couple.
Mamaji was little shaken. If he had the tiniest doubt on Khushi now that looked so foolish that he felt small before them.
Mami only smiled fondly.
It was only Devyani Raizada who looked dispassionate. No one could tell what was going in her mind but her eyes were stuck to the couple and followed them as they started mingling with the guests.
**
Arnav's hand never left her waist since Khushi had joined him in the party making it unambiguous for others of her significance in his life.
What amused people present there most, was that how possessive ASR looked for her. His eyes burned if so much a guy tried to near her and he literally kept her plastered to his body in the crowd.
A random model turned socialite asked her friend from same status, "who is that girl hanging in ASR's arm?"
Friend, "No idea, but she looks really close", she smirked.
"What do you think is she like those other girls in his life or..." she trailed off.
Friend, "Nope. This one is special. She looks much younger than him yet they are sharing a comfortable space and the way ASR and her exchanging looks every now and then, at least I haven't seeing ASR doing that before."
"True. The way he has kept her to him since she has come, he looks quite possessive of her." and as an afterthought she added, "the girl surely is beautiful but she also has this royal aura around her, I really wonder who she is?"
"Whoever she is but she surely has something special which no girl could own till date?" the friend smirked knowingly.
"And, what is that?" the first lady asked confused.
"Arnav Singh Raizada's heart." The friend stated winking at her friend's shocked face.
**
CID
Cricket
10