Hey Guys.I know I haven't lately been on India Forums and all.It's just so much has happened and is even happening now but now finally I have managed to clear a bit of my schedule and type at least this much.I thank everyone who didn't forget my stories so easily.I probably will set up a poll or something.In my busy schedule I'll only have time to update one more story so whichever story gets the most votes will be updated.Love to all and Happy New Year.
Part 3
Khushi let go of her cup of tea in shock.The cup scattered into several broken pieces. Arnav, the cat, let out a yelp. He followed her gaze out the window.
"My uncle" Khushi answered shocked "How did he find me"
Suddenly there was a huge pounding on the door.Khushi grabbed Arnav, frightened "I don't want to go back!" she cried.
The cat let out a loud meow before clawing himself out of her arms. Khushi winced and let him go. The black cat ran and disappeared.
Khushi looked around.What was she going to do? The banging on the door only seemed to increase. No matter how strong the doors probably were,Khushi was sure they would eventually break.
Suddenly a hand encircled her wrist and pulled her.Khushi gasped and looked up "Arnav!" she said in relief.
Arnav had a strain on his face "Come on.Follow me"
There were so many questions Khushi wanted to ask but she knew it wasn't the right time to ask anything hence she quietly and quickly followed Arnav to a corridor.Arnav pressed his hand against a brick in the wall.The wall made a sound before shifting and opening to reveal a dark staircase with no source of light.Arnav gave her a tug "Go!"
"But-but I'm scared" Khushi shivered.
He scowled "What do you mean?"
"I-I'm scared of the d-dark.Wait! Where's Arnav? The cat?"
Arnav cursed "Look for him later.Now's not the time" he reached into his pocket and pulled out a lighter "Here.Use this and don't make any noise until I come down to get you"
He didn't wait for her response.He pushed her inside and pressed his hand on a different brick.The door immediately slammed shut.
But not before Khushi saw Arnav grit his teeth.
Not in anger.
In pain...
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Arnav could hear the grunts the men made as they used something pretty large and heavy to break the doors.Arnav frowned and just opened the doors.The men went flying in.They groaned and muttered curses.Only when they realized they were actually inside the castle did they look up.
Arnav sighed "May I help you?"
An elderly man quickly stood up.He wiped his hands on his jeans "I am Inspector Jha.My niece had gone missing and I believe she is here"
Arnav scowled "Just because you're in the police department and have assumptions your niece is here doesn't mean you have the right to barge into anybody's home including mine"
Shyam took out some papers and handed it over to Arnav "I had come prepared"
Arnav glanced at the papers and muttered something under his breath "Fine" he grudgingly agreed "Look.I don't have all day.I've got important things to get to but don't think I won't be keeping an eye on you.And don't touch anything irrelevant"
Shyam nodded "Of course"
Arnav gave another frown before walking off and disappearing when he turned left.
A constable came up to Shyam "I thought nobody lived in the castle.I also heard many rumors about it and how nobody survived and escaped without being terrorized"
Shyam frowned "So did I but someone must have tamed it's beast" and then he shook his head "I don't care.I just want Khushi"
Shyam laid out instructions for everyone and then set to the search.Then he noticed a black cat.He scowled "Shoo"
The cat,however,seemed to have a rebellious nature.He sat down and stared at Shyam through dark brown,almost black,fathomable eyes.Shyam growled but the cat didn't budge.Shyam rolled his eyes "Fine.Be like that.I couldn't care less about you.Once I find my Khushi,I wouldn't have to see you ever again"
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The constable shook his head again "Sir we have checked over the castle twice now.Your niece isn't here"
Shyam frowned "You didn't-"
"Inspector" Arnav cut in coldly,appearing practically from nowhere "I think it's about time for you to leave.I am a private man and would prefer to be left alone"
Shyam looked around hesitant as if hoping Khushi would suddenly pop out from the wall or appear out of nowhere like Arnav did.
Another constable nodded "Yes sir.We must depart"
Shyam scowled and looked at Arnav "I'll be keeping my eyes open"
Arnav nodded "That is after all your job"
Even though Arnav said that with a straight face,Shyam could tell he was being sarcastic.With a stiff look,Shyam turned and left with his companions.
When everybody was gone,Arnav shut the door and locked it.He leaned his back against it and let out an animal-like cry.He groaned and clenched his eyes.He breathed heavily before getting up "I have to get Khushi" he murmured under his breath.
With a curse Arnav quickly walked,almost running,to where the brick wall was.Pressing his hand against that same brick,the wall obliged and opened.
Khushi looked up and smiled.
"They're gone" Arnav said.
Khushi ran to Arnav and hugged him tightly "Thank you,thank you,thank you" she kept repeating,her smile stretching to a grin.
Arnav nodded stiffly and pried her arms off "Okay now I must go"
Just as he turned to leave,Khushi grabbed his arm "Arnav?" she questioned "What's wrong? You don't look alright"
"I..I must go" he broke free from her hold and almost ran away from her.
Khushi went to follow but lost him.The castle,after all, was pretty huge.
Khushi heard a meow.She turned around "Arnav!" she picked up the black cat and patted him "Where were you,hmmm? You always seem to be disappearing whenever I need you or am looking for you.I wonder just where do you disappear off to"
Arnav,the cat,seemed to enjoy her touch.He rubbed himself against her in her arms and closed his eyes.
Khushi smiled "You always seem to be so tired and sleepy" Khushi sighed "I might as well take a nap too"
Khushi went up to her bedroom and laid down.She laid Arnav next to her.He opened his eyes for a minute and let out a small whine before closing his eyes and going back to sleep.Khushi smiled and caressed his head before letting out a sigh and closing her own eyes.
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"Nooo" Khushi whined "Let me sleep"
However Arnav seemed to be all energetic now.He licked her cheek and nudged her.Khushi sighed and finally opened her eyes.
"What time is it?" she groaned.
Arnav,who was lying on her chest,turned around and looked at the clock above.Khushi followed his gaze.It was 4 PM.That was one long nap she had.
Arnav pounced off and jumped down to the floor.Khushi got up "I need a shower" she murmured.Khushi walked to the bathroom and frowned when she noticed Arnav followed.She giggled "You naughty little thing.You stay here.I will be taking my shower alone" and then she closed the door on Arnav's snout.
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Khushi frowned as she looked around.She had forgotten her clothes outside in the bedroom...but Arnav was there.
Khushi shook her head.It was only a cat.Not like Arnav was a man that she needed to be shy or embarrassed from.Wrapping a towel around herself,Khushi opened the door.
Arnav,who had been resting on the floor,raised his head and stared at Khushi as if penetrating through her.Khushi cleared her throat and felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Khushi scowled at Arnav "What are you staring at? Don't you have some other female cat to go after?"
The cat didn't do or say anything.He only followed her with his eyes.Khushi made a face.She quickly grabbed her clothes and raced to the bathroom.For extra security Khushi locked the door.
There was something weird about that cat.Yes,Khushi didn't really have much experience with cats or well any pets or animals but Khushi was more than sure that cat was not completely normal.There was something about him that...resembled to Arnav.
Khushi vigorously shook her head.No way! It just wasn't possible.It couldn't be.No scientific logic could explain that.
"I am over-thinking things" she murmured "If things go at this rate I'll be needing to see a psychiatrist"
Once Khushi was decent she opened the door.She gasped "Arnav!"
And this time it was the human one...
He smiled at her "You seem surprised to see me"
"Oh,it's just I was expecting you at 5"
"It is 5"
Khushi glanced at the clock "Oh" she said "So it is"
Silence prevailed between them.It seemed awkward. Khushi wondered how to break the tense air.Arnav,however,beat her to it.
"So" he began "You wanna explain about this morning?"
Khushi sighed.She should have expected this.She licked her lips "Um well..."
When Khushi didn't say anything,Arnav spoke up again "How about you first tell how Shyam Jha is related to you"
Khushi nodded "I'll keep it short and brief.My parents died when I was young.My custody was given to my mother's sister and her husband.Shyam is her husband and my uncle"
"There's something you're leaving out" he said.
Khushi frowned "What do you mean?"
"There was something about him that a normal uncle wouldn't be like.You share a more stronger relation" he said "But I believe that's only on his side"
Khushi's eyes fell downcast "You...You're right" she said softly "He-he..Shyam..He wants to marry me"
"That's why you ran away isn't it" he said just as softly.
Khushi nodded.
Arnav stood up and walked up to her.He enveloped her into his arms "I promise you,Khushi,I won't let him come near you or harm you,and I certainly would never allow him to force you into doing something you don't want"
Khushi smiled faintly "Thank you" she whispered "You know,he rarely let me out.I never really got to experience some things which I've always wanted to"
Arnav smiled and looked at her "I promise you I will fulfill those wishes and dreams of yours.I'll keep you happy"
Khushi looked in his dark,molten eyes and couldn't help but feel herself drown in them.Unconsciously her hands clutched at his jacket.She raised herself slightly and pressed her lips against his.
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Arnav closed his eyes and let Khushi do whatever she was doing with her sweet lips.He wrapped his arms around her waist and supported her leaning weight against his as she tried to reach his height.She wasn't that short but still,it felt good to hold her,
He could tell she was inexperienced and he liked that.He could feel an unknown strange feeling settle within him.It felt alien-like yet he seemed to like it.
Khushi broke free and slowly fluttered open her eyes.A light blush fell on her cheeks.Arnav smiled "Come with me"
"To where?" Khushi asked.
"Out of the village.To the city.It's quite beautiful there" Arnav said "Especially at night"
Khushi grinned like a little kid "Okay! I'll get ready" she suddenly paused and looked around "Oh wait,where is Arnav?"
Arnav chuckled "I'm right here silly"
Khushi smiled and shook her head "No no I mean the cat"
Arnav looked around and shrugged "Probably went on a hunt or something"
Khushi bit her lip.Should she ask him? No! That would make her think she's mental or crazy.
And besides...she wouldn't want that.
Khushi sneaked a peek at him.Okay so maybe she was attracted to him.Okay okay she definitely was attracted to him and it wasn't just his looks.His dark personality and mysterious aura gave her a pull but who else wouldn't feel the same? She sighed.
Khushi couldn't wait for her second date...
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Arnav didn't need to read her mind to know what Khushi was wondering.It was written all over her face.
Arnav needed to be more careful around her.She was getting suspicious and if her suspicions kept growing then they would eventually be confirmed and she learned what he actually was,she'd run away and spill the beans to all the villagers.Then once again Arnav would have to find another suitable and quiet neighborhood,and start from the beginning.
Arnav looked out the window and watched the sun finally disappear as it finished it's set.He was taking a risk in letting Khushi live here.He should have sent her out the minute he had seen her but there had been this innocent glow about her that he liked.That he had perhaps wanted to keep.
Arnav shook his head.Great.Now he was beginning to talk the way Akash used to before...
Arnav sighed and ran a hand through his hair.He missed his dear old friend and wished he could have helped in some way but there was nothing he could have done.Seeing his friend becoming more like a lifeless corpse every single day had been agonizing until he finally...
Arnav clenched his jaw.He didn't want to think about it.He didn't want to fall in love.
Like Akash had.
That had been the reason of his death in the first place.
"I'm ready" he heard Khushi say.
Arnav turned around and swallowed.He could control his emotions.He had to.
There was no such thing as love.
Which meant attraction.
Strong attraction.
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