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Part- 33
Anjali had taken Khushi to introduce to a few of her friends, hence Arnav stood little miffed in middle of his admirers and business associates.
He was continuously stealing glances of his happiness, who right now looked super fidgety among the elaborately dressed loud ladies and ready to run in any given chance. He shook his head chuckling silently. She was really different.
He called La aside and sent her for her friend's rescue. La smirked and assured him that she would safely get his Khushi back to him before walking to them.
At that moment Rajbeer entered the party and Arnav waved towards him, letting him know where he was.
Rajveer came to him with a wide smile.
"Wow Man, Congratulation... this is really huge", Rajbeer congratulated Arnav as he took a look around.
"Thanks Raj." Arnav politely took the compliment as he had been doing since the party had started.
"So, how was your flight? And where is Kunal and Vedanth?" Arnav inquired.
"Well flight was fine and Kunal and Vedanth couldn't make it but said they would call you later." Raj informed.
Arnav nodded and introduced his friend from school to Akash and NK who were standing there with him that time.
As the guys started talking, Khushi walked up to them with La.
As soon she came there Arnav's hand found her waist and he pulled her towards him. A gasp escaped from Khushi's mouth from the sudden attack and others just shook their head except Rajbeer, who looked completely taken aback.
As his eyes darted between La and Khushi realization dawned upon him and his mouth fell open...
Nk who had been watching his face whispered in his ear, "Boss shut your opening or you are going to drool and ASR might not like it. Rajbeer turned to him looking shocked and then as he recognized NK too, his eyes grew wider making NK amused as he added, He is very possessive about her you see."
Rajbeer quickly sobered up.
Arnav turned his attention again back to his friend as he introduced Khushi and La to him.
Unable to hold himself anymore Rajbeer started, "Arnav don't mind me ask, but is she the same girl from...
"The club", Arnav completed his sentence before him and grinned at the comical expression of his face.
As Khushi and others looked at them questioningly, Rajbeer took it upon him to explain how they had seen Khushi performing for the first time in the club and how Arnav had looked smitten by her at that time and how he was shocked to see her today in this party beside Arnav.
Throughout his explanation Khushi looked surprised, then amused and then she chuckled with others seeing Arnav's little red face, but she never revealed that what had transpired between them that night after he had parted with his friends. They just recollected the moment looking in each other's eyes.
**
The dance floor had opened a long back. Couples were dancing on soft beats.
Arnav was with Khushi on the floor dancing when suddenly the music came to a sudden halt. All looked towards the place where the band had been playing when they saw Akash on the stage with speaker in his hand. He looked like he was about to make an announcement.
Everyone concentrated on him curiously as he spoke, "Hello Ladies and Gentleman, hope you all are enjoying the celebration tonight...
As all present there agreed in unison he continued with a smirk on his face, "Well we are glad to know that but how about doubling the enjoyment...
All cheered and hooted
"I am glad to announce that we have a very talented singer and performer among us and it would be shame if we don't hear her in this night of celebration."
Khushi whispered for Arnav's ear, "I am gonna kill your brother", Arnav chuckled he too had guessed what Akash had in his mind.
Akash winked at their direction as he said, "Please guys put your hands together for our beautiful friend here the singer, the performer, Khushi."
Khsuhi did a facepalm while others clapped loudly.
**
"What happened Khushi? Go." Arnav nudged her when she didn't move from her place an inch.
Khushi helplessly said, "Arnav, how can I? You know what I play and sing. You tell me does that suit in this party?" and eyed the elegantly decorated area with highly influenced and elaborately dressed people flaunting around.
Arnav sighed and held her shoulders as he said, "Khushi I am saying, go and sing whatever you like. This is my party and I always enjoy when you perform. I am sure I am going to enjoy this time too. Don't think about all this unnecessary things. My Khushi never cares of what people thinks of her because we both know that she knows she is good at what she does, doesn't she?" He smiled encouragingly.
Khushi smiled broadly. She was just tensed because of his reputation and she also knew Devyani would never approve of this, but if he didn't care then, well, when did she care? She grinned.
Arnav gestured her all the best doing a thumbs up as she walked towards the small stage dragging La along.
**
She came face to face with Akash on her way, who was grinning away to glory.
She mock threatened him, "Let me first finish this and then I am going to finish you too Akash Singh Raizada."
Akash only grinned a little more as he replied, "Oh, Come on Khushi, I too have rights to take sweet revenge. Have you forgotten how you two friends shocked me to death in the club?" he wriggled his brows and La giggled.
Khsuhi humped and walked away with La.
But La turned before climbing the stairs of the stage and winked again at Akash making him startled for a moment, as she made a gesture of wait and watch' and turned on her heels chuckling silently at his comical expression.
**
Khushi took the lead and held the mike near her lips when her eyes fell on Devyani who surely not looked pleased with the idea of her performing.
She tilted her head watching her for a moment and then she knew what she wanted to sing tonight. She whispered something in La's ear, who nodded and walked to the musicians to instruct them.
Khushi made a gesture of shooting Akash with her fingers earning a show of his teeth in return, before the music started and so she sang,
| [YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a_zuVYYknk[/YOUTUBE] |
I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath
Scared to rock the boat and make a mess
She bowed towards the crowd who had already started swaying and clapping with her
So I sat quietly, agreed politely
I guess that I forgot I had a choice
She eyed Devyani, who looked quite miffed and Boy! She was giving some piercing stares to her. She smiled and sang the next lines with her eyes still on her,
I let you push me past the breaking point
I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything
Not making it obvious for the others she pointedly dedicated the next lines to her too, while showcasing the beats and the words with her body and hand movements.
You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder gonna shake the ground
Though Devyani wasn't fond of this kind of music, still, she knew English and she understood what she sang.
You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Get ready 'cause I've had enough
I see it all, I see it now
She held Devyani's gaze and sang pointing herself
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
La too had joined in with Khushi and both sang together...
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh...
You're gonna hear me roar
By this time the crowd had gathered near the small stage cheering and hooting, enjoying and encouraging her while Arnav didn't mind to climb the stage and shuffle his feet a little with her.
He was still holding her waist and swaying with her when she sang
Now I'm floating like a butterfly
Stinging like a bee I earned my stripes
I went from zero, to my own hero
She did pull her invisible collar a little here, wriggling her eyebrows as Arnav laughed and kissed her cheek for every eye to gape.
Devyani unable to take this open display of affection anymore left the place quietly feigning tiredness and owing it to her old age.
Khushi only smirked. She had made her scared she knew.
She and La sang together... when NK and Akash too hoped on to join them.
You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Get ready 'cause I've had enough
I see it all, I see it now
Khushi waved at Anjali and Shyam to join them and they gladly went up to join them on stage.
With Khushi and La's encouragement they all sang in chorus
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Here Khushi took over with La while people danced crazy around her
Oh oh oh oh oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You'll hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar...
With La gesturing, all fell quiet as Khushi's voice boomed in the area
Ro-oar, ro-oar, ro-oar, ro-oar, ro-oar
After that the crowd went mad, not quite sure who did most of the madness the guests or the hosts.
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Arnav took the mike from a startled Khushi and passed it to La and dragged Khushi down the stage and out of the crowd, but not before winking at La and signaling her to continue.
La took the cue and grinned broadly at the escaping couple as she continued with the ending.
You're gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You'll hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar...
**
Arnav took Khushi inside the palace and towards an area which was blocked since they had come here saying there was some maintenance work going on.
Actually Sheesh Mahal stood encircling the area where there was an artificial pond surrounded by the turrets and towers of the Palace, built inspired by the Mughal architecture.
As she entered the area through a door leading from inside of the Mahal she gasped seeing what lay before her and she heard him whispering near her ear, "Have you forgotten we have a date tonight?"
Khushi turned in lightning speed towards him as she said, "I thought, we are already on it."
"Did you really think Khushi, ASR's idea of dating would be such crowdy?" He smirked.
Khushi shook her head smiling sheepishly and turned back to see the setting once again,
The area had been considerably recovered and lighted. It wasn't extravagantly decorated but as all the carefully placed lights lit together, the place looked ethereal. The pond was filled with water which was sheer blue in color as of the sky and calm yet little restless because of the night light breeze.
Khushi understood that Arnav deliberately kept all of them under the impression that the maintenance work was still on so no one can walk into his preparation for their date. She felt overwhelmed; her eyes sparkled with unshed tears.
Arnav silently offered her his hand and she took it gladly smiling through her tears. He led her towards the stairs which took them to a turret at the end of it and there she saw the table for them to dine, decorated with rose and scented candles and already laid with their joint favorite foods.
She looked around the vast area from where she stood, only them and no one else, accompanied by so much of calm and peace, just perfect, she thought.
Arnav smiled at her gleeful expression and pulled out the gift from his trouser pocket he had got for her for this special night.
**
Khushi felt Arnav slipping something metallic on her left wrist.
As she took a look at it her eyes grew wider seeing the beautiful diamond bracelet nestled on her wrist.
She opened her mouth to protest but he shushed her effectively by placing his lips on hers. He murmured, his lips brushing hers sensually, "This bracelet was with me for a long time in search of a worthy owner and now it had found one."
He kissed her lips fully and said again, "take it as a memento of this night Khushi, and don't say no."
She could only nod her head side wise to convey she wouldn't.
**
As they finished their dinner in between normal banters, Arnav asked her for a dance and as he switched on the player kept aside, it played, "what a wonderful world" making Khushi stunned.
| [YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3yCcXgbKrE[/YOUTUBE] |
Arnav held her in an embrace and made her sway with him as he said for her ear, "I don't know why this song always brings tears in your eyes, but after this night whenever you will hear this song again, it will only remind you tonight, our date night Khushi and you won't be able to help but smile reminiscing our moments together."
Khushi managed to whisper back, "I will"
And, they lost themselves in each other completely.
**
I am sorry guys for not sending PMs anymore, but the effort I put in sending them when the response look not half of it's worth then it feels tedious...
Don't take it wrongly, I know there are few readers who always press like and comment but that's not even half the numbers of PM I send...
So, its better this way... I don't send PM, I don't expect, but silent or responsive all kind of readers are welcome to read my story as I will continue writing, because I like to write them
So Enjoy and Cheers!😊
CID
Cricket
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