Arshi FF#3 The Seed of Passion, Chapters 17 to 23 - Page 65

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Chapter 23

Tension and Passion

Khushi looked at herself in the mirror. How Arnav's maa's, Ratna aunty's locket shone next to her heart!

She beamed at her reflection in the mirror and then putting out her tongue murmured "Paagal!" Hey Devi Maiyya, really, she was mad to have spent the night with him on the terrace on Buaji's charpai (bed) she thought!

A bed that they had then broken! She blushed as the image of Arnav nestling his head on her breasts rose unbidden to her mind!

She shut her eyes tightly to escape the image. The Laad Governor! She must meet him and tick him off, her eyes flashed! What gall he had barging into her house in the middle of the night!

What if Buaji had seen him or any one else! He was Arnav Singh Raizada, a rich business tycoon and no one would say anything to him but she Khushi Kumari Gupta, a simple traditional middle class girl and such behavior would be a scandal in her society! No one would understand that she was just trying to be kind and helpful and console a childhood friend who was going through difficult times.

Oh! Is that what she was doing! Destressing a friend?... Yes of course she admonished herself. She yanked his chain off her neck and glaring at it angrily said,

"Listen I will return you to your owner, today itself, samjhe aap?

"But in the meantime I see no harm in wearing you," she said nonchalantly quickly wearing the locket again. But she carefully covered her neck and shoulders with her dupatta so that it was not visible to the outside world. Inside her its reassuring warmth seeped through her skin again! The red and white stones twinkled in tandem with her heightened heart beat!

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Shyam walked up to the flower beds in the garden with a worried expression on his face. Something was definitely wrong, his sixth sense said. Aman's behavior was definitely suspicious. Why was Aman relieved to see Arnav just as Rani sahiba was about to tell him who was on the phone? What didn't Aman want him to know?

His hands automatically went to the shrubs and he plucked out a blooming red rose and crushed it mercilessly between his fingers.

I must find out what if they aresuspicious of me, he thought. I should have never allowed Arnav to take Rani saahiba to his room.

He quickly turned on his heels and made his way to the house, up the stairs...

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"Chottey I asked you something, what did Aman say? What is Shyamji involved in?" Anjali thundered at the end of the corridor outside arnav's room.

"Di !" Arnav rushed to his sister, distress written all over his face, "Its nothing believe me..." he said haltingly.

"Chottey don't lie..."Anjali trembled. "I heard with my own ears! Just now Aman and you were blaming Shyamji for something...Downstairs Aman tried to prevent me from telling Shyamji about Aakash's call. What is going on Chhotey? Tell me now!" Anjali shivered in fear and shock!

Guilt swept through Aman and he bowed his head.

"Di please sit down first," Arnav put both his hands on his sisters shoulders trying to calm her down.

Arnav slowly led her to the couch. He made her sit down and knelt besides her. He took her hands in his and said, "Di, you know I cannot lie to you. Its just that Aman discovered that Sheela who had been appointed by Ajit chacha to spy on me in AR and knew of his plan to kill me has been given shelter by Jijaji in Lucknow! "

Anjali stared at her brother in dis belief! Then she said hesitatingly, squeezing her brother's hand,

"Chottey, your Jijaji must be having a valid reason...I will talk to him..."

Shyam had just climbed up the stairs when he heard his brother and sister deep in conversation at the end of the corridor. Aman's back was to him. They had not noticed him approaching them stealthily and with trepidation. So at the very mention of his name he had had ducked into the nearby guestroom and though he could not catch every word he had understood that they were discussing him!

He trembled in shock... beads of prespiration formed on his forehead, trickled down his neck. He banged his forehead on the wall in frustration!

No! No he could not allow Arnav to ruin everything, all the trust and belief he had camouflaged so well and built up so painstakingly...

Shyam decided to act and act fast...his very existence in Raizada Mansion was at stake!

He stepped out of the shadows and feigning a hurt voice declared,

"Yes of course I have an answer Rani saahiba! I can explain everything...!"

"You don't have to explain anything Shyamji," Anjali cried in grief and embarrassment.

"Chottey," she turned to her brother, "please tell your Jijaji its a misunderstanding!

But Arnav who had been staring at Shyam warily, said in a cold voice,

"Its alright Di! I am sure even Jijaji would want to clear his name, and any association with Ajit chacha!"

Shyam grinded his teeth silently but put on a fake smile for them.

"Saaley sahib is right Ranisaahiba! I did not know that Sheela was a witch appointed by Ajit chacha to spy on my dear brother in law! I knew her as a poor employee of AR whose mother was terminally ill with lung cancer. You know how soft my heart is, so when she approached me for medical help I could not refuse her. But now I realize she was out to trap me too!" Shyam completed his explanation in one breath and stopped suddenly for effect!

He congratulated himself inwardly as he had acted well !Though Arnav's face was impassive as usual, Aman looked decidedly uncomfortable, while tears flowed freely from his Rani saahiba's eyes! The arrow had hit its mark, he thought gleefully!

"I knew Shyamji you couldn't be involved in the attempted murder of Chhotey!" Anjali hobbled up to her husband and sobbed in relief on his shoulders.

Shyam hugged her back but waited with bated breath for Arnav's reaction!

But he never found out as a sugary voice wafted down the corridor!

"Oh Arnav there you are!" It was Lavanya!

She came bouncing up the stairs and hurtled herself against Arnav!

Trust her not to realize that the moment was inopportune and the atmosphere highly tense!

"Arnav darling, I had gone to London to visit my parents only for a few days, and I returned to hear...you have left AR? You have formed another company? Why?" she demanded to know.

"Later Lavanya...I am in the middle of an important conversation with Jijaji!"Arnav said curtly.

Lavanya was taken aback and shut up immediately.

"What more is there to talk about Chhotey? Anjali interrupted."Shyamji has already explained that he knew nothing about Sheela's evil machinations..."

However, Arnav was not convinced! Yes Jijaji has tried to prove his innocence but somehow it did not ring true!

When Aman had initially broken the news to him he had rejected the idea but now he was not so sure...He had often found Shyam's long periods of absence from the house odd, but he had never let Di know about his doubts...Come to think of it Dadi had proposed Shyam Manohar Jha's name man for marriage to Anjali! And Arnav did not trust her anymore!

But he also realized there was no point arguing with his Di at present. It was best to agree with her and pursue the matter secretly without her knowledge!

"Yes yes of course Di," he assured her.

"Thanks to Devi Maiyya everything has been sorted out! Above all,my dear Chhotey has achieved his dream...a company of his own! I am going to arrange for a pooja in the evening...I have to start the preparations now," she said smiling at everyone and turned to go to her room.

Anjali turned to Lavanya and beckoned her. "Come with me Lavanya, you can help me with the pooja preparations..."

Lavanya looked longingly at Arnav and followed Anjali reluctantly.

Shyam put his arms around Anjali's shoulders led her away. He was relieved to escape his Saale Sahab's piercing eyes! So far so good, Shyam sighed in relief! He would have to be more careful in the future! He would have to think about what to do with Sheela! He could not let Arnav question her!

When everyone was out of earshot Anav addressed his Man Friday.

"Aman," Arnav said clenching his fist, "Get to the bottom of this! As fast as you can!"

"Yes Sir!" Aman clicked his heels.

"But take some rest first!" Arnav growled.

"Yes Sir!" Aman grinned at his boss.

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Lavanya was bored of Anjali's pooja preparations and at the first opportunity she excused herself and escaped to Arnav's room. How she had missed him! She had left for London immediately after the unfortunate hot air balloon incident! And in a few days his life had turned topsy turvy! She heard the shower running in his bathroom and decided to wait for him.

She sat down on his lounger daintily, her short black dress riding up! She crossed her long legs exposing them to the maximum from her thighs to her stilettos. She withdrew her comb from her purse and brushed her hair till it shone and added a dash of pink colour to her lips and waited for Arnav to emerge from the washroom.

Arnav closed his eyes, welcoming the cold shards of water that seemed to hit him like daggers. Would his Di have to undergo the same fate as his mother? A pain surged through his body and throbbed in his head! Not again, he winced! Would he have the strength to witness the tragic end of his Di's marriage like that of his mother's!

He shook his head vigorously. Nothing, yes nothing will happen to Di as long as I am alive he thought with the thrust of his chin. He shut the water faucet and wiped himself dry quickly. He tied the towel round his waist and stepped into his room.

He was surprised to see Lavanya.

"Lavanya? What are you doing here?Did you want anything?"

Lavanya smiled sexily at him and got up from the lounger langorously. She walked up to him slowly as if walking on a ramp. She raised one polished index finger and tapped it on his rough wet cheek.

"Yes...You...I mean you must be very tired, I want to relax you..." she purred sexily...

Arnav realized what she meant. He raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Really? Thanks for the offer Lavanya but I am fine." his voice was firm.

"Come on Arnav..." Lavanya placed a soft palm on his chest and looked into his eyes seducingly. "Kiss me..."

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HP opened the door to Khushi and smiled at her.

"Come in, Khushi didi!"

Khushi fidgeted nervously with her bag and clearing her throat said,

"Where is Arnav? Please call him! I have to give him something he lost!"

"Where is Anjali di? Maybe I can give it o her..."

"She is very busy with pooja preparations...Khushi didi, go upstairs. Arnav bhaiya is in his room." HP gestured to Arnav's room upstairs and left.

Khushi hesitated...I will just return his chain to him and leave she thought. And warn him never to force his way into my house in he middle of the night again! Laad Governor kahin ka!

She approached his room with great trepidation and knocked on the door. There was no answer. Finding the door ajar she slightly pushed open the door and stepped into his room.

But the sight that beheld her made her forget all her resolve.

Arnav was standing in a semi naked state and Lavanya in a short black dress had her hands all over him.

"Oh!" Khushi gasped out loud as a searing pain shot through her ripping her apart.

"Khushi," Arnav murmured both shocked and delighted to see her.

But Lavanya turned on Khushi angrily, "What are you doing here? Have you made it a habit to come between me and Arnav like you had at the hot air balloon competition?"

Khushi controlled the tremor in her voice and with her head held high responded,

"I had come to return his chain..."

She opened her fist and the chain gleamed in her palm.

Lavanya pounced upon the chain. She looked at it admiringly and wore it over her head.

"You can leave now," she proclaimed to Khushi in a cold voice and then turning to Arnav smiled widely.

"Look Arnav dear, don't I look good in it!"

Khushi turned on her heels and ran out of the room as fast as her legs could carry her, tears streaming down her neck, her heart bursting with pain.

"What the!" Arnav barked at an astonished Lavanya and pushed her away from him and dashed after Khushi.

He caught up with her in the corridor and pulled her by her elbow. She rammed into his chest unsteadily. He slid both his hands round her slim waist to steady her but she punched his broad chest with her clenched fists, struggling to get free and sobbing,

"Let me go Arnav, I said let..me..go!"

"No, never..." he whispered into her ears and dragged her to the nearby guest room and shut the door behind him.

"Khushi calm down...It was not what it looked like..." his brown pools pleaded

"I don't care! Hummey koi phadak nahi padta!" Khushi was raving mad!

"Khushi..." Arnav spread his arms in frustration. "Please listen to me..."

"Why should I listen to you! Give Lavanya your chain, all that is yours and go sleep with her for all I care!" Khushi shrieked

"Shut up, Khushi!" Arnav's voice was low and dangerous.

"I won't ! What will you do?" she screamed hysterically.

Arnav's eyes blazed into hers! And then he pulled her by the hair and slammed his lips on her. Khushi gasped at his audacity, and tried to push him away. But he was too powerful. She pursed her lips, hating him with her core, wanting to kill him and then just as suddenly...she was kissing him back with matching passion... wanting him...all of him...the strong lean muscles on his shoulders and chest excited her and his skin felt taut and smooth against her roving fingers...

He groaned and his tongue darted into her mouth, seeking, demanding all she had to give and more. Her sobs giving place to hiccups, she dug her nails in his strong bare back, scratching, punishing him one last time...

But he only moaned her name, licking her tears tenderly and placing soft gentle kisses all over her face, her slender throat, her shoulders and the pulse beating madly at the base of her neck just above her heaving breasts.

"I want you Khushi, only you..." he whispered huskily, placing a firm hand just below her bosom, grazing one taut nipple with his thumb sending her spiralling into blissful oblivion...

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Alone in her room Anjali quickly dialled the contact number left by Aakash.

"Yes Di!" Aakash answered the phone almost immediately.

Anjali cupped her mouth and whispered into the phone,

"Lots of things are going on here that I can't understand...Tell Nani I want to meet her as soon as possible...maybe she can give me a clearer picture!"