One thing I want to make clear- Arnav and Khushi are not in love. Just because they thought they are meant for each other doesn't mean they are in love. Like you know when you are in a relationship, you feel that the person is right for you and you should pursue it. It's that feeling. It's not love definitely.
In further chapters, you will realize when and how they will fall in love.
ArHi FF: Yeh Saali Zindagi
Chapter 23
Khushi Singh Raizada was in a fix, totally busy in cursing her treacherous heart and the amount of drinks she had downed. It must be the effect of the drinks.
There was no other explanation to her current state. Not at all.
Because a sober Khushi Raizada would have focused on the task at hand, definitely not on the lips of her husband. Not on the alluring shape of those sinful lips. Absolutely not on the moment when those lips were pressed against hers, soft yet firm yielding an instant reaction from her.
Don't even get her started on how much she wanted those lips back on her own, again. And why the hell when he had stepped back from their kiss only few seconds ago, that she wanted to cry in protest?
This was so not happening. Cursing under her breath, she focused on dancing with her husband but even that seemed to be an impossible task when his knees pressed against hers innocently. When his fingers trailed lightly over her bare arms before settling back around her waist.
Her heart immediately transported her back to the days when she used to read those sappy romantic novels. She used to blush whenever she came across moments like the present one on the pages.
Damn, those novels didn't give her fair warning on the craving, desire and new sensations bubbling inside her, overtaking her professional mind.
Something which never happened before with her. Should she consider herself lucky enough to have those feelings for the man she is married to?
Or curse her fate for turning her world upside down when she no longer wanted love in her life? Khushi felt confused and dazed. But she knew the answer. She knew she won't curse her fate for this.
Khushi realized that in this moment, she didn't want to be anywhere other than in the arms of her husband. Being with Arnav made her happy and content. In last 10 years, peace has eluded her but it wasn't a problem for her anymore.
She realized that even though Aman still hasn't sent her files about Raizadas and their past, she once again trust Arnav and the explanation that he had given her earlier.
Arnav was the one for her. She concluded feeling her lips stretching in a genuine smile. Funny how she came to this life changing conclusion in few minutes, panting and recovering from the mind blowing kiss that she had shared with him.
Just then, she saw him taking his buzzing phone out and stepped back. She watched his back stiffen and his smile drop the moment he looked at the screen, which was enough to snap her out of her dazed state.
Concern overtook the joy of kissing Arnav at once. Panting, she asked "Everything okay, Arnav?"
Glancing down at her briefly, he nodded looking tense "I need to take this call."
Gathering her once again in his arms, he steered away from everyone looking cautious and alert, baffling Khushi further. What had happened suddenly that totally changed his laid back demeanor?
Khushi looked at him, watching as Arnav stared fixedly on the screen, frowning.
She wanted to reach out and smooth down the frown etched on his face but she couldn't, realizing that every ounce of Arnav's attention was fixed on the incoming call on his phone.
Looking forward, she kept walking beside him quietly. Once they reached near the back door of the club, Arnav whispered looking distracted "Stay here Khushi. I will be right back."
And then he walked out of the door, not looking back at all.
"Khushi?"
Shaking her head, Khushi turned to look as Aman approached. She saw him smile suddenly, wiggling a CD in front of her eyes "It's done."
Blinking slowly, she stared at the CD finally understanding everything and squealed in delight "Really?"
Handing it to her, Aman answered "It's done really. Once he consumed the drink, it took all 10 minutes for Vikrant to act like a buffoon. He almost fell on the girls I sent. Going by my instructions, they took him to a bright red room at the back, away from his bodyguards and flirted with him. Our hidden cameras recorded everything, just like we had planned. Once he fainted due to the pill you had dropped in his drink, the girls sneaked out of another door as his body guards were at the door they had entered from."
"So nothing fell out of the place right? Those girls are safe, right?" Khushi asked anxiously.
"Of course. I paid them and they will be leaving from the club soon. And I also made several copies of the clip. We will need it in future." Aman answered cheerfully.
Grinning widely, Khushi quickly hugged him and exclaimed "That's a great news Aman."
"Yeah, we did it. Finally we are going to make him pay. He is the one who made me lose a case in the past after all." Aman replied haughtily, a smile playing on his lips.
Placing her hands on her hips, Khushi giggled "Damn right."
Suddenly they heard a commotion and looked around, their face turning pale the moment they saw Vikrant's two bulky bodyguards heading toward them. Looking past them, Khushi saw an unconscious Vikrant being supported by one men of his security detail, conversing heatedly with the manager.
Khushi tensed the moment Aman cursed under his breath. Tugging at his hand, she snapped "Did they saw you with one of those girls?"
Aman answered reluctantly "They might have."
"Damn it, Aman. You were supposed to be an innocent stranger, partying inside the club. Now, call our men from everywhere and take off from here as soon as you can." Khushi ordered looking angry.
"But Khushi..."
"Just do it, Aman. I won't have you putting yourself in danger. Leave everything to me and go. Make sure to send those girls out of town for few days. I don't want them here at all. Vikrant will kill them in a heartbeat." Khushi roared, her hard voice leaving no opportunity of argument.
His nostrils flaring in annoyance, Aman took out a gun and placed it on Khushi's palm "They have watched you talking to me and they might come after you too. Use it if the situation gets worse."
Khushi nodded instantly watching as Aman stalked off into the opposite direction, diverting the attention of the bodyguards pursuing him. Quietly batting her eyelashes at people around her, she tried to sneak away when she realized that one of them was still stalking after her menacingly.
Meeting up his cold gaze with a smile which managed to halt him for few moments, Khushi turned and walked away, her smile disappearing at the decreasing distance between them. She was trapped.
What is she supposed to do?
She couldn't even run away at the instant with Arnav still around. She couldn't put him in danger.
Feeling panic taking root in the galloping speed of her heart beats, her mind quickly worked to devise a plan. Wrenching the back door open, she walked out aware of someone following her.
Narrowing her eyes to look through the darkness, she could barely make out Arnav's back turned to her still immersed in talking to someone. She knew that if she called out his name, their cover would be blown and they will be in deep trouble.
They were standing a bit away from each other, not close enough to even converse in whispers. And if she walked ahead to talk, things might get worse.
Sighing deeply, she raised the gun and pointed it at his back, watching from the corner of her eyes that the man pursuing her had stopped at the doorway to watch what she is going to do, looking wary. Which meant only one thing.
They still haven't recognized her. Because if they had recognized her, they would have pursued her nonetheless knowing that her presence only meant trouble for their boss.
Smirking widely, she pressed her fingers forward to rest on the trigger when Arnav turned to her suddenly, his eyes widening, taking in everything around them except the man watching the whole interaction.
A shadow crossed over his face. Of confusion, betrayal and hurt.
But it was gone before Khushi could blink her eyes. She watched as Arnav disconnected the call quickly and slid the phone inside his jeans pocket before looking up, meeting her eyes fearlessly.
Drawing himself fully to his height, he crossed his arms across his chest. And then the strangest thing happened.
He smiled, looking confident that she won't fire at him. It was full of warmth and trust.
Trust, an emotion which always forced them to stay clear of other people's company yet connected them together. Always finding a way to each other.
Ignoring the warm, fuzzy feeling cascading over her, Khushi quickly flashed him a look full of warning before she pressed the trigger, retracing her steps at the last moment and turning the direction of the bullet to the man pursuing her.
A sharp noise echoed in the air, enveloping everything in silence before echoes erupted. Frightened of the noise, people started shouting and running to the exit, abandoning everything.
Khushi stared as the man fell down the next moment, clutching his left knee while howling in pain. A direct hit. Savoring her perfect shot, she stood there watching as people started running out of the back door as well, climbing over the body lying on the floor in their hurry.
She ignored the flicker of guilt in her heart, knowing very well that the man was no saint.
Smiling gratefully, she started running as well quickly grabbing Arnav's hand and dragging him along with her. Bewildered, Arnav started shouting questions at her running along with her.
"Later." Khushi shouted back, drawing near to the parking lot. Shoving him away toward the car, she continued "You need to leave from here. Our plan has been exposed. Vikrant's men are after us."
Satisfied, Khushi ignored his gaze burning into her and turned back to the direction of the club, worrying about Aman and others. Having taken just few steps towards it, she concentrated on planning to tie the loose ends of her plan when her hand was grabbed and she was spun around.
A sound tore through her throat in protest instinctively before she glanced at fierce expression on Arnav's face and every protest died along with the words at the intensity in his eyes, full of possession and care.
"Arnav, you need to leave. You could get hurt now" Khushi stated weakly, trying to wriggle her hand free from his grip.
Tightening his grip on her hand, he yanked her closer and declared "I am not leaving without you."
"Don't be absurd. You have a family to look after." Khushi argued, now slightly annoyed.
Ignoring her struggle to break free, Arnav slipped his hands around her waist and pulled, slamming her body against his snugly. Letting go of her hand, he gripped her chin and tipped it up, demanding her full attention. Once she met his gaze, he said slowly looking serious "That's what I am doing right now. You are a part of my family."
Khushi froze, her mouth falling open. Her eyes bore into his searching if he truly meant that, unaware of the chaos around them. He simply looked down at her, his eyes honest.
Closing her mouth, Khushi melted at the gruff admission full of truth and honesty. She stiffened, realizing that she was close to crying, overwhelmed. No one except Aman and Lavanya ever called her family and loved her enough to risk their life for her.
"I need to make sure that Aman is alright." Averting her gaze, Khushi whispered not struggling in the nest of his arms anymore.
"Then we will do it together." Arnav insisted, his eyes soft in understanding not missing the play of emotions in her eyes.
Reluctantly looking up, Khushi met his gaze and smiled barely suppressing a sniffle, recognizing that something has shifted in the way they were looking at each other.
There was a wee tiny bit flicker of love. In their eyes. Maybe it was only her imagination but it didn't stop her from sagging in his arms, looking relaxed. And this time she couldn't even blame anything else than her feelings.
"I am here already and everything is done. So, let's leave." A sudden voice interrupted their silent epiphany, making them jump away from each other and look around. The moment their eyes fell on a grinning Aman giving them an I-heard-everything smile, they scowled not bothering to hide their displeasure at being interrupted.
Aman chuckled in return.
"Sorry for dropping by so late in the night. Is everything alright here? I hope Bade Sahab is not troubling you anymore."
Shyam said apologetically the moment Akash opened the door looking sleepy and tired. Smiling in assurance, Akash pulled the door wide open, allowing him to stroll inside.
"He won't dare. Can we please talk quietly? Payal is sleeping upstairs. She was tired after cleaning the place and I don't want to disturb her." Akash whispered, motioning him to enter inside a room to their right and slowly closed the door behind them.
Nodding his assent, Shyam collapsed in a chair looking tired and strained. The moment Akash sat in a chair across him, he whispered "Arnav knows about everything."
Quickly filling a glass with water, Akash handed it to Shyam and raising his eyebrows, asked "Knows what?"
"About your sacrifice and deal with Bade Sahab." Shyam answered in a matter-of-fact tone, sipping the water.
"How did he know about it? You didn't tell him, did you?" Akash asked sharply, his face suddenly clear of drowsy expressions.
Shaking his head, Shyam answered curling his lip in mock surprise "Your brother is pretty sharp, Akash. Apparently, he saw you outside the hotel when Anuj Raizada's goons were hauling him inside a car. Apparently the way you looked at everything in anger and then later managed to force Anuj into letting him go, he understood everything. And once he heard about your resignation, he grew sure of the doubts in his mind."
"Shit. I never thought that he will be able to guess the truth. I thought I was doing everything carefully." Looking astonished, Akash exclaimed running his fingers through his hairs in frustration.
Shyam smiled "Give the guy some credit for inhering his father's sharp mind, Akash. He also guessed that I was in touch with you the whole time and I know everything."
Gulping visibly, Akash muttered with a wince "He won't take it lightly."
"He won't. When I was leaving to meet you, he was already looking at me like I have betrayed him. You need to meet him and tell everything." Shyam suggested softly.
"I can't." Akash said looking helpless.
Shaking his head, Shyam stood up at once his eyes flashing at him in anger "I told you in the beginning Akash that I am doing everything to keep my friend safe. I won't have him thinking worse about me. I was just helping you. I don't want any cracks in our friendship due to this. It'll be better if you both sorted out every misunderstanding and stood together to face the storm knocking on our door. It's going to be worse. I have your house being watched by some bodyguards in case you get in trouble in upcoming days."
Quickly moving toward the door, he stopped and whispered "Not only you lost your parents when you were a kid, Akash. I lost mine as well. I lost my love but I won't lose my best friend. It's the only thing I have now."
And then he was gone.
I hope you all like the update :)
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