Arhi FF: Humsafar. Chapter 18 up! - Page 15

The soft chimes of the anklet forced Arnav to turn back and look at the beauty descending downstairs with nervousness etched on her face. For a moment, he could swear his breath had hitched. She kept her eyes on him and he could see that today she had taken a little extra effort to get ready. Though she had kept the make-up minimal, her kohl filled eyes and pink gloss was enough to make her look even more gorgeous. He was so lost in her that he didn't notice when she finally came and stood in front of him and even before he knew it the words were out of his mouth:

"I don't have words to explain how beautiful you look."

He heard her gasp when he kissed her forehead and she savored the moment by closing her eyes. As expected, she lowered her eyes as the pink hue crept up her cheeks which he had certainly come to love. Red was definitely her color. It made her fair skin glow. He had never imagined that she would look this stunning. He definitely needs to buy more bright clothes for her. With that in mind, he forwarded his hand toward her: "Shall we?"

She smiled at him and placed her hand in his, forgetting all the nervousness when he reassuringly squeezed her hand and gave her an encouraging smile. Khushi saw that he looked no less himself. Grey suit paired with a red tie to match her dress, he looked devilishly handsome. She remembered how Aaliya had literally threatened her to do some make-up, wear heels and some matching accessories while she wanted to go all simple but guess her little brat was right after all. Arnav did seem to genuinely like her in this new avatar and she was glad for she hadn't dressed up to impress anyone but him.

Together they drove to the venue with silence lingering around them except the soft music playing in the car. The silence wasn't at all uncomfortable, it was one of those drives in which you stole glances at each other, gave small smiles but didn't talk not to ruin the moment. Khushi drifted off to the events of yesterday when Imran uncle had asked her parents for their permission for Arnav to take her to the party. Her parents, though reluctantly, had agreed and the families had therefore made plans to dine out and had not been present to see them off.

She jerked back to the present when she felt the car come to a halt and her side of door being opened by a guard. She gulped and moved out only to come in view with a huge building which looked no less than a castle itself. "It's magnificent." She spoke still looking at the Sheesh Mahal, as it was called, and looked at her husband in admiration and awe for he had designed this whole thing. Arnav, on the other hand looked sheepish at the compliment to which she laughed and together they entered the threshold hand in hand. The place was even more stunning from the inside. Adorned with ancient Greek and roman sculptures, different kinds of mosaics and paintings, Sheesh Mahal was a palace indeed as the name suggested. The place was built for serving the purpose of a hotel and today was its inauguration. The only light from the Mughal chandelier made the architecture even more exquisite.

No longer guests started calling Arnav's name and one by one Arnav introduced her to everyone he knew. His colleagues, his friends and even his team that had helped him in building this stunning hotel. Throughout the party, he didn't leave her side and she was on top of the world to be known as Mrs. Arnav Malik. She had only seen these people in the business magazines or have thought them to be stern or strict but they were anything but that. They had been in midst of a conversation with a friend of Arnav's when he excused himself and Khushi heard someone exclaiming:

"Nannav mere bhai."

"It's Arnav, NK." Arnav gritted his teeth and said in an annoyed voice but it was like it all fell on deaf ears.

"Haan wohi wohi. Is this who I think it is? Khoosi bhabi kaisi hain aap? I'm so glad to finally meet you." Surprised at NK's version of her name, she settled on a small: "I'm good and same here" in fear of laughing out loud at the unbelievable look on Arnav's face. Khushi turned her face to see a young woman holding her baby bump as she walked towards them glaring at NK.

"NANDKOSHORE SHARMA WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU! OH MY GOD! Khushi? Hi. I'm Lavanya. Arnav's best friend and his wife. He who leaves his 6 months pregnant wife for some goddamn pudding!"

Startled by her sudden introduction and simultaneously sarcastic comment to her husband who was looking down guiltily, she shook Lavanya's hand and said: "Hello. Nice to meet you."

"Pleasure's mine. Finally! You know Arnav talks a lot about you and aw look at him. He's embarrassed." Khushi looked at Arnav and noticed that he was trying to put on stern face, warning Lavanya to not reveal any other thing and Khushi couldn't help but chuckle.

"Acha baba fine! I'll avenge you for the times you have teased me about NK but later. Right now the little one needs something to eat." She patted her tummy and in no time was gone like a whirlwind and NK followed her mumbling:

"I'll check on her before she throws another tantrum."

She looked at Arnav with a teasing smile wanting to know what he talked about her when he muttered: "Let's not talk about it." And went to bring them something to eat too asking her to sit down and relax for some time leaving her laughing at his obvious embarrassment. They were finished with their dinner and had bid their goodbyes to everyone and exited the hotel only to see that it was raining heavily. Inside it didn't seem that the weather had turned this bad but now Arnav didn't know what to do as he wasn't sure to drive in this weather and that too an hour long journey. Lavanya and NK were also leaving for their house which was only a few blocks away when they spotted the couple standing with worried faces. They offered them to stay the night at their place and having no other choice, they had to agree. Well Arnav could also take Khushi to his own apartment but it would've been highly uncomfortable for her to spend the night alone with him so he resorted to a much safer option. He was about to call his parents when Imran, himself called and asked them not to drive and stay in Delhi for the night.

So here they were sitting in NK's house by drinking coffee to warm them up in this chilly weather talking to each other in between. Arnav had mentioned the two of them many times in their conversations because NK and Lavanya were his best friends from college and these three worked for the same company too, though in different departments. He had told her that though they belonged to different religion, they had never let that come in between them. NK and Lavanya had gotten married two years back and Lavanya was now 6 months pregnant. But even in her pregnancy, Lavanya looked really attractive. With her dusky complexion, twinkling light brown eyes and dimpled cheeks gave her a persona which was hard to ignore. On the other hand, NK was a fair and handsome guy with blue eyes who knew how to light up any gathering with his jokes. All in all, Khushi liked them as they warmed up to her in their first meeting itself and were trying to make her comfortable.

They were sitting before the fireplace with the three college buddies reminiscing their old times. They told how these three have always been the rowdiest group of the college, everyone calling them the three musketeers. They had gatecrashed parties, painted their grumpy professor's car a bright orange and had thrown eggs over freshers on their first day. Lavanya had apologized her for not coming to their nikkah because she was at bed rest that time but promised to make her reception party as dhamakedar' as she could. Moreover, Khushi was happy that she got to know many things about Arnav which he hadn't told her yet, like how he was the captain of the basketball team in college and how girls literally drooled over him but he didn't pay any attention. And the most shocking part had been when she was told that Arnav was ticklish too. Now that was new! And all the while she couldn't help but laugh at the cute picture they painted. Lavanya smirking, NK trying to control his laugh and Arnav glaring.

When they retired that night, only then Khushi realized the consequences of her actions. NK had offered them the guest room and Arnav was about to deny but Khushi had signaled him a NO as to not disturb any one of them because they only had a two room apartment. She just didn't want to trouble them but now it seemed like she was in trouble for she was asked to change into a comfortable night suit given by Lavanya. She had guiltily said that it was the only decent nightwear she had otherwise Khushi would be traumatized for life on seeing her wardrobe. That decent nightwear being a simple white shalwar kamez with a way too deep neckline and a wide back. Now how was she supposed to wear this and sleep beside Arnav? Hence she was standing in front of the bathroom mirror from half an hour and was giving herself a pep talk. Only when Arnav had knocked impatiently at the door asking whether she was alright, she took a deep breath and wrapping the almost nonexistent dupatta made her way out.

When Arnav had seen Khushi motioning him not to ask for a separate place to sleep, he had been shocked. He knew she didn't want to trouble them but he wasn't sure about it. Above that, she was in the washroom for like half an hour. Was she uncomfortable? If so, then he would sleep on the couch tonight. No matter how small it looked compared to his tall frame. And when she came out, he let out a sigh of relief, only to have his breath hitched for the second time this day. This girl could even make a simple white shalwar kameez look so enchanting. He involuntarily moved a step forward and saw her eyes widen for a moment but she didn't step back. Her damp hair falling on her forehead, her face void of any trace of make-up, she made a charismatic vision. Slowly he lifted his fingers to brush those tendrils of hair behind her ear and saw her eyes closing. Cupping her jaw, he pecked her forehead and then both her cheeks letting his lips linger there longer than usual. Tilting his head he was about to lean for her lips when something stopped him from going any further.

Losing the warmth of his lips on her skin she opened her eyes and looked at the most heartwarming sight. Arnav was standing there with his eyes closed, his one hand still cupping her jaw and trying to control himself. Could this man get any more perfect for her? She could feel tears brimming in her eyes at his gesture and placed her hand on his heart which was thudding at an abnormal speed same as hers. He opened his eyes and she cupped his face and slowly blinked her eyes in assurance that she wanted this as much as he did. Taking her cue, he placed his lips on hers not moving for a second or so to relish the first contact. Arnav took the lead and softly nibbled on Khushi's lower lip and then did the same with the upper one. Khushi gasped when he traced the outline of her lips through the tip of his tongue and pulled her close by putting his hands around her waist. In reflex, she found her arms locked behind his neck and before she knew it, a lone tear escaped her eye making Arnav stop all of a sudden.

He wiped the tears away from her eyes thinking he had hurt her and asked in a breathless voice: "Khushi what happened? Did I..."

"No I am just happy." She said and sighing, Arnav placed his forehead on her and rubbed his hands up and down her back to calm her down and when she did, he bent down and picked her up in his arms walking towards the bed.

Gently lying her down on the bed, Arnav kissed her forehead again and asked her to sleep and was about to go to the couch when she held his hand and he turned back to look at her questioningly. She nodded a no innocently and moved aside to make a place for him to lie on the bed too. His heart swelled with happiness with the trust she had shown on him today, he settled down beside her and hugged her sideways making her rest her head on his chest and kissed her on top of her head and without thinking uttered those three magical words he wanted to say to her from a long time now.

"I love you, Khushi."

If Arnav expected her to withdraw from him, then he was absolutely wrong. This girl never ceased to surprise him, he thought when she snuggled more into him and said those same words which he had spoken few seconds before.

"I love you too. Don't leave me ever. I won't be able to..."

He didn't let her complete the sentence and tilting her chin up looking into her glassy eyes said with utmost sincerity: "Never." And together they drifted to a very peaceful slumber like they never had before.