ArHi SS: Swayamvar | COMPLETE | 31/7 - Page 10

I pull myself up from against the brick wall, harshly wiping away the tears running down my cheeks.

I won't let him win, not this time. The festering attraction had to be ended, and now that I had given into it for a careless second, it would fade away.

I close my eyes, trying to steady myself as I start to walk. My mind flashes back to that kiss, and I can't stop the shudder that courses through me at the thought.

I can still feel the imprints of his hands on my skin, and the memory of the warmth of his caresses makes me tremble. My breasts feel taut to the cool air, straining for his touch and the brush of his tongue. My dress feels skimpy as the air rushes over me, sending goosebumps crawling up my skin, making me shiver.

My body longs for his touch, for the release and satisfaction that could have come out of tonight. The lingering, gentle circles his fingers drew on my naked thighs makes the heat pool between my legs, and I struggle to maintain control of this desperate desire.

I can't deny that I want him.

The physical need to be with him, to let him have his way with me is overpowering. I find myself wondering what could have happened tonight if he hadn't said my name and brought me out of my reverie.

Would I have woken up tomorrow in his bed, alone? Would I have become another notch on his bedpost?

I can hear him laughing about how easy I was to get into bed, and my stomach clenches uncomfortably.

I won't let him win. I can't.

-***-

"Chashmish!"

I hear his voice call out for me as I'm about to push open the door, and glance over my shoulder to see him jogging towards me. I know I should hold it open for him, but I can't risk talking to him and falling into that vortex again.

I spin quickly and walk away, letting the door slam in his face as he curses in frustration behind me. I rush to my dressing room, knowing he won't follow me there.

I'm about to pull out my tripod when the door creaks, and I instantly feel his gaze on my back. His eyes drop down, and I can't stop the heat coursing through me at his appreciative stare. I force myself to keep my back to him, even as I hear him approaching me.

He places his hand on my waist, and I flinch at the burning touch. I skirt around him, grabbing my tripod hastily as I try to flee the room.

But he's too quick for me, and I feel his fingers close around my wrist just as I'm about to escape.

"Khushi, what are you-"

"Khushi! Shoot in five! Get out here!"

NK's call is a godsend, and I wrench my hand out of his grasp and sprint out of the room. I can hear him swear behind me, and I can almost picture him running his hands through his hair, his brows furrowed in anger.

-***-

I struggle to focus the camera, my hands slipping on the lens every time I think I've focused. Arnav's eyes have been on me this entire time, and I feel as if he can see right through me.

"Khushi, are you ready?"

"No, NK, just stop asking! I'll be ready in five, okay?"

I know everyone is watching me, and I can hear the sarcastic snorts of the girls on the show. They're all sitting around a table, ready for their group date.

I finally manage to focus, and NK gives the cues for the cameras to roll. I see the girls all fawn over Arnav immediately, each one trying to get close to him.

"Today, Arnav will give a rose to the girl-or guy" Shyam winks at Arnav, who fights a gag, "- who most impresses him during this group date. Whoever gets a rose will be exempt from elimination. Good luck ladies!"

He blows a kiss Arnav's way before he leaves, flipping his shaggy hair over his shoulder.

"We're eating at one of my favorite Italian restaurants. Italy has such a romantic culture, so I thought this would be the perfect place to bring you all."

He smiles, and I have to force myself not to swoon along with all the other girls.

In his pristine white button down, dark jeans, and a nicely ironed blazer, Arnav drips with seductive charm. He's wearing his glasses today, and the square rims make him look knowledgeable, while the smirk playing on his lips reveal his mischievous side.

The women are all dressed to perfection, with even Puja coming out in a beautifully tied saffron sari. Her pallu is finally off her head, and her dark, shiny hair is pulled into a perfect french braid. The lining of kohl only accentuates her almond shaped eyes, and she stands out with her traditional look.

But the woman who steals the show is easily Lavanya, who's wearing a red, lacy dress that hugs her curves. Her long legs seem endless, and her feet are encased in matching red stilettos that make her hips sway as she walks in. Her hair falls in stylishly cut layers around her face, and her smoky eyeliner makes her look even sexier.

I can't help but notice that she and Arnav look stunning together as a couple. Her darker tones match up well with him, and she seems to fit perfectly in the curve of his arm as he guides her forward. His eyes didn't miss her her, and I see him look at her with clear appreciation as he lingers just a little too long.

She sits down right next to him, flirting and giggling with marked ease. Arnav doesn't hesitate to flirt back, complimenting her on her beauty and allowing her hand to rest on top of his at the table.

"Cut!"

I hit the stop button, unsure as to why we've paused. This is the best filming has gone in days, without any arguments or misspoken lines.

"Arnav, why don't you feed Lavanya some of your spaghetti? That will add to the already sizzling chemistry between you two."

I freeze, my heart clenching painfully as the green eyed monster bubbles up in my stomach. I avoid Arnav's questioning gaze, knowing that my eyes will reflect the piercing envy I feel right now.

His eyes remain on me when he answers, and I blink rapidly to keep the sudden tears from falling.

"Sure, NK. Who would turn down the opportunity to feed a beautiful girl?"

My eyes fly to his, and I immediately look away when our eyes meet. NK gives the signal to start rolling, and I take a deep breath before I hit the button.

I bite down on my lip hard, drawing blood as I watch Arnav lift the fork to her mouth, his hand resting lightly on her chin. He pulls the fork out slowly, her lips sucking every last bit of the tomato sauce off. His thumb brushes the edge of her lip, wiping off the last bit of tomato sauce.

I feel his thumb brushing the cheese off of my mouth yesterday, the feeling still imprinted on my lips. I close my eyes, savoring the memory and trying to keep myself from wanting to be in her position.

He looks up from her lips, and doesn't look at her. Instead, I open my eyes to find his gaze focused on me, an inscrutable expression in his eyes.

"Arnavji?"

Puja's timid voice comes from across the table, interrupting the tense atmosphere. I see Lavanya's eyes narrow in distaste as she turns up her nose, and I know Rajjo has noticed as well with the way her hands fist protectively.

Puja has become the darling of the show, the innocent girl who everyone wants to protect. The girls have almost formed a protective barrier around her since Lavanya, Sheetal and Jiji made fun of her traditional ways, and the group is now split in two between those who support Puja, and those who make fun of her.

"May I... have the chili flakes? This is kind of bland."

"Oh my god, did you like, not hear what Arnav said? He said this is like, his favorite food. And you're like, ruining it with your taste. Ugh."

"Please Jiji, you can't tell me that you actually like this fettucine alfredo nonsense. Give me a nice, spicy tandoori chicken."

Rajjo's eyes are menacing, and I wince when I realize that I'm going to be filming yet another argument between catty women.

"Um, yeah, I like, actually like this stuff okay? You Indian girls have like, no taste."

"You Indian girls? What's your name, Jeena?"

"Jiji. My name is Jiji! Ugh, why don't you like, understand anything! Do I have to like, talk super slowly or something?"

Rajjo lifts the table and everything goes sliding to the ground. The plates clatter to the ground, shattering and spilling tomato sauce and alfredo everywhere, turning the dark red into a light pink.

"CUT! Khushi, call the janitors please. Everyone else, lunch break."

Shyam stands in a corner, examining his nails as we file out silently, Rajjo fuming behind me as Jiji wipes frantically at her skirt, now splattered with sauce.

"Well, that went well."

NK tosses Shyam a death glare, and I rub at my head again.

I really need some Advil.

-***-

I groan in frustration when the tripod sticks out of my bag again, the zip refusing to shut. I fight the urge to toss the tripod against the wall, and shove it in with a little extra force than necessary.

I stalk out of the room, looking forward to sinking into my lumpy couch and eating something that hopefully doesn't have green fuzz on it.

I stifle a scream when long fingers close around my wrist, whipping me into a small, dark room. I hear a click as the door locks, and the hand presses down on my mouth, and I find myself trapped against the door. A large stick falls down on top of my head, clunking as it falls to the ground.

I push the body off of me furiously, shoving my attacker into cleaning supplies. We're locked in a closet, and there's not enough space for me to move significantly away from him.

"What the f**k, Arnav?! What is your damn problem?!"

"My problem? What's your problem, Khushi? What the hell were you doing?"

"What do you mean, what was I doing? I was doing my job."

"Really? Because it certainly seemed like you were avoiding me."

"Please, don't flatter yourself."

"Then why did you sprint out of the room as soon as you possibly could when I tried to talk to you this morning? And why did you slam the door on my face?"

"NK called me, I need to be on time for shooting. You were walking too slowly. Now will you let me go?"

"No can do, we're stuck in here until someone hears us."

"What?! You don't have a key?"

"Nope. I needed to talk to you, and I needed to talk to you without any interruptions."

"So your solution was to lock us in a supply closet without a key?"

"It worked, didn't it?"

I fall silent, crossing my arms across my chest and glaring angrily at who I hope is Arnav. He sighs, understanding that I'm not in the mood for his antics.

"Why are you avoiding me, Khushi?"

"Why do you care?"

"I thought we were... friends?"

"You have plenty of other friends. Lavanya seems perfectly thrilled to be your friend."

"Are you jealous?"

"Why would I be jealous?"

"Because I kissed you and then fed her?"

"What are you trying to say, Arnav?"

"I'm trying to say that you have feelings for me."

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing pulse. He's too close to the truth for my comfort, and I can't let myself give in. Not now.

"That's a pretty weighted accusation."

"Accusation? I think it's the truth."

"You're pretty confident in yourself."

"Khushi, why are you denying this?"

"Why are you so insistent about this? Just let it go!"

"I don't want to let it go."

"Why?"

"Because you've been driving me insane, and I can't get the damned taste of coconut off my lips!"

"Is that the only reason?"

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean."

"I'm sure Lavanya would be more than willing to wear coconut chapstick for you. Just say the word. Why does it matter that it's me?"

I feel him stiffen, and hear him stand up, and I can sense his purposeful stance. My nerves stand on edge, unsure of his intentions.

"Arnav, what-"

My words are lost when he slams me up against the door, pressing his lips to mine in a deep, rough kiss. His lower body grinds into mine, and he takes advantage of my gasp by thrusting his tongue into my mouth, nipping at my lips.

He lifts my legs around his waist, and pulls back for a split second to look into my eyes. I'm paralyzed by the pure desire I see there for me, and for a minute, my brain goes blank.

"Khushi, if we don't stop here, I won't be able to stop."

There's a question at the end of his statement, and I can see the hesitancy in his eyes.

I close my eyes, and make my decision.

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Note: I am also posting the story on IF, and all the chapters have been added here. I'll still be posting on the blog. For those following by Twitter, please follow @ipkchotidesi for any future updates. The next update should be up sometime next week- I'm hoping to get the teaser up this weekend.

Love,

Choti