Together...Forever, Sweetheart - Hey, Shona: Pg16

As everyone stands in silence as Natasha struggles to free her hand. Khushi cannot take it, she says in a firm voice, "Let go of her hand!" Everyone looks at Khushi stunned, including Vikrant. He lifts an eyebrow and asks suppressing his anger, "Excuse me! What did you say?" Khushi steps forward and says in a strong voice, "What you heard!... Let go f her hand!" Vikrant folds his lips and says, "Then I will hold your hand!" Stunned Khushi looks at him as he smiles and says, "Hunh?" Disgusted, angered Khushi says, "What do you think of yourself? You are the organizer of this contest, so you can do anything? How dare you touch her!" No one interferes' Sam looks on keenly as Khushi keeps talking, "If you have forgotten, then let me remind you of the rules of the contest!" Initially Vikrant looks at Khushi with sarcasm but as she keeps talking fiercely, it irks him. He asks, "Who are you?" Khushi fires back, "An ordinary woman!... who cannot watch another woman being insulted." Vikrant rolls his eyes and throws his eyebrows' all other girls watch but say nothing. "Do you know who I am?" Vikrant asks. "From your act and the style of speaking, you look like a hooligan'probably you came here mistakenly! And if you are from a rich and good family then why don't you look like one? you are not even capable of managing this event. Boys like you deserve to be taken to the squares and be humiliated in public!" Vikrant's anger rises' other girls start laughing under their breath' one look from Vikrant shuts them down. Thank You, Khushi for making correct assessment of this guy!

Khushi continues to meet his eye and demands, "Did you not hear what I said?... Let go of her hand!" Vikrant releases Natasha's hand. Amrita smiles to herself as she rejoices, "Finally' what I wanted has happened!" "Alright! You said and let go!" Vikrant says to Khushi, "Do you know that it has never happened that some girl asks me to do something and won't do it! This just can't happen!" he says flirtatiously' in a very cheap manner, "You are right that I am the organizer of this contest! .. and I should know all my responsibilities well. I want to say something being the organizer'. It's that' that you are very different than others here." He points a finger at Khushi as Khushi tries to guess what he might be getting at. All other girls look at them'. Vikrant continues, "You just talked about whether I am eligible to stay here or not'Fine! Let us see'whether you are eligible to stay here or not!" he makes a gesture with his head and says, "Walk!" Khushi keeps staring at him' he rudely orders, "Walk!" Khushi starts walking in her usual style.. as she turns around, she trips over the rug and falls down. Amrita laughs happily while all other girls feel bad. Sam shakes his head slightly as he continues to watch this debacle. As Khushi lays on the ground, Vikrant asks, 'Who is your favorite designer?"

Khushi looks up worried' She manages to get back up on her feet' looks around and says, "I don't have a favorite designer!" In an obnoxious manner Vikrant asks, 'What will you do when you win the contest?" Amrita smiles thinking that Khushi won't have an answer.. but Khushi says, "I will help those people who want to do something on their own' those people'" Vikrant lifts an eye brow and lifts a finger and says, "Sam! Prepare this girl for the swim suit round!" Sam nods his head. A shiver of fear spreads across Khushi's body and mind, "Sss..swim suit?" "Why? What happened?.. Are you afraid?... feeling shy?" Vikrant says as he enjoys watching Khushi's fearful face. She averts his gaze as she says in a heavy voice, "I will not wear the suit suit!" "You have no option!" Vikrant declares with a mean smile, "You will have to wear the swim suit!" Khushi meets his eye and says in a firm voice, "I will not wear it!" "Cool.. you are disqualified then!" Vikrant declares stunning Khushi. All the girls look at her.. Amrita rejoices again. Vikrant walks over to Sam and say, "Sam, this girl is totally unfit for this contest."

As Khushi stands stunned there, Natasha says, "Khushi, say yes! I will mange afterwards!" Khushi looks at her with moist eyes and shakes her head, "No! I will absolutely not wear it!" Khushi stands with her gaze lowered. Few moments pass in silence.. the silence is broken by ASR's confident voice, "Khushi will not wear swim suit!" Stunned' surprised.. everyone looks up in the direction of the voice' Arnav takes few confident steps forward as all eyes stay glued on him.. his posture stiff.. his face sharp.. his eyes narrowed' his gaze penetrating sharp challenging Vikrant! As they meet each others eye' none of the eyes bow down.. Keeping his composure, in a matter of fact but sharp tone, Arnav says, "There is no compulsion if someone does not want to wear swim suit." Vikrant asks in a lame tone, "And may I know who you are to decide this?" Arnav keeps his penetrating gaze on Vikrant as his shrewd eyes scour his face. Khushi looks at them wondering what ASR might say. Sam intervenes, "This is Arnav Singh Raizada! The main sponsor of this event!" Vikrant carelessly says to Sam, "So what?" then he looks back at ASR.. his eyes still watch Vikrant with brilliance and shrewdness.. Vikrant says, "Whoever the main sponsor might be.. but the rule cannot change!... Every beauty contest has a swimsuit round! Hunh?" ASR's gaze becomes sharper as he narrows his eyes further and says, "This is Mrs. India contest' and these contestants will be representing us in the finale. We will not gain anything by making them uncomfortable. So, it's final.. there will be no swimsuit round!" Vikrant says, 'you can't change the rule." "Too bad' I just did!" Arnav says as his eyes twinkle brilliantly and the shrewdness gives an edge to his penetrating gaze that is good enough to challenge anyone. Vikrant looks at ASR as ASR's pointed gaze stays on his face' making it very clear' that he means what he said!

Everyone watches the two of them go head to head with each other'a relief appears in Khushi's eyes. Sam evaluates the situation and keeps mum' Vikrant laughs sarcastically and says, "I am the organizer of this contest." "And I am the main sponsor of this contest!" Arnav replies in a confident tone. Vikrant gives up, "Fine! But' I will still say that this girl is not up to the mark for the contest!" Khushi looks down as the words sink in. Amrita smiles joyfully as Vikrant says, "Anyone can wear salwar kameez and saree' I want to see how she will carry a western outfit!" With a shrewd twinkle in his eyes, ASR asks, "Why should it be only her?" Vikrant thinks for a moment and says, "I'll test everyone." With a sharp and confident face, ASR says, "Great! Let's do it tomorrow." A winning smile appears on Vikrant's face.. Khushi's heart feels with uncertainty'. But just then ASR steals a glance at Khushi' their eyes speak for a jiffy.. As if ASR's eyes say, "Now it's up to you, Khushi!" Then he gives another sharp penetrating look to Vikrant before turning around and leaving the room in the same impressive manner that he had entered in. OMG.. ASR killed me as he looked at Khushi' his gaze was just so brilliant and it spoke volumes.. it reminded me why I loved ASR so much! And.. it proved once again that ASR in Arnav is still the side of Arnav that I love the most! Vikrant looks over his shoulder.. Khushi seems deeply worried as her gaze stays lowered' "I will see you tomorrow then!" he says' and gives a cunning smile before he leaves. As soon as Vikrant steps out, Sam says, "Khushi!... You are very lucky that Arnav Singh Raizada came to your rescue at the right time! For the first time Khushi realizes and acknowledges to herself, "I am very lucky! Not just today.. he has saved me for the lifetime!" her heart fills with happiness, gratitude and love.

Happily Khushi enters ASR's office' leaves the door open as she walks in' ASR does not lift his eye as he keeps working on the computer. "Wow, Arnav ji! You were fantastic!" Khushi starts in her animated style' her face fills with pride as she says, "After so many days, once again I saw the real Arnav Singh Raizada!" Neither does a single muscle move on ASR's face nor does he look up as Khushi continues, "That Vikrant guy.. you just shut him up! ' It's was so much fun!" Khushi giggles. Arnav still gives no reaction, keeps working on his computer. Khushi says with a smile and twinkling eyes, "I knew that you would definitely help me!' "Excuse me!" Arnav looks up with frowns crowding his forhead..his gaze shows no congeniality.. that drains the smile from Khushi's face' Ahhh' Khushi, this is the real ASR you are dealing with! "I wasn't helping you." Flabbergasted Khushi says, "But.. you said'" "Whatever I said was for all the contestants' not just for you!" ASR says as his gaze scours Khushi's face for a reaction. Khushi immediately looks down' Disappointment and slight anger fill her heart' But Arnav does not stop there.. he rubs it in, "Why? Do you want me to help you?" Yup, Khushi! You are the one who told him not to help you! Khushi is Khushi.. she reacts as Arnav expects her to react' she stutters but controls herself and says, "No.. I did not say so!" "Okay.." Arnav says in a soft voice and goes back to his computer.

The dry and straight forward of behavior of Arnav irks Khushi.. she starts fuming when Arnav says without moving his gaze from the computer, "By the way, I was thinking' had I not come there at that moment'" now he looks up at Khushi as his eyes try to gauge her feelings, "What would have happened then?" Khushi breathes heavily just at the thought of that disaster.. but Arnav's eyes look at her with anticipation and she does not want to give in' she belligerently says, "What would have happened? Nothing at all! I would have handled everything!" The patient lover in Arnav asks in a gentle whisper as he knows what he is doing, "How?" His eyes look her into the eye as he tries to make her realize, "By wearing swimsuit?.. or by getting thrown out of contest?" Though what Arnav says is the truth, it irks Khushi' as she does not want to admit in front of him that she needed his help, she answers like a rebellion, "Nothing would have happened like this! I would have gotten him to agree to a no swimsuit round in the contest." Arnav exhibits immense patience as he listens to Khushi, "May be you came in late, that's why you did not see how I talked that Vikrant guy down!... Had you not come then I would have told him myself that whatever I wanted should happen!" This amuses Arnav but he keeps a straight face but asks in a calm voice, "Really?" Gosh! I so loved the way he said he it! That single word out of his mouth with that subtle amusement in his eyes' is just fantastic. As he keeps looking Khushi into the eye with that same expression, she looks exceedingly adorable as she says fiercely, "Yeah' REALLY.."

Keeping his cool, ASR says, "Okay then, if it is like that then be ready for the next round!" Khushi gives him 'the' look as he says, "Because the next round is going to be very tough' especially for you!" For a moment reality sinks in before rebellious Khushi challenges him back, "We will see!" Arnav's eyes fill with affection for his zalli Khushi as she angrily leaves for the door.. "Khushi.." Arnav calls in a soft voice.. his gaze stays soft and affectionate until Khushi turns around.. he then makes his eyes indifferent and says, "Close the door when you leave," taking Khushi by surprise as she expects for him to say something different' "And remember, we are not husband wife here!" He reminds her the rule she put in place for him just the other night. This angers Khushi even more.. she clenches on her teeth and angrily pulls the door to slam it shut!

As Khushi walks back in where other girls are, Natasha comes in her face and says, 'Why did you need to open your mouth?" "What?" taken aback Khushi asks, "Natasha ji, I was only helping you." "Oh, God! This is the problem with you middle class girls!" obnoxiously Natasha says, " Start helping anyone' without thinking.. whether they need your help or not! Had I needed your help, I would have told you so!" "But.. I' only'" Khushi tries to talk but Natasha cuts her off, "Stop interfering with the lives of others' otherwise, some day.. you will get in trouble.. and will get others in trouble as well!" "I saw the fear in your eyes'" Khushi says, "When he grabbed your hand'. And.. the hand of a girl will always be a girl's hand' whether the arm belongs to upper class or middle class.." In a rough tone, Natasha says, "Khushi, this is how the world is' and I meet with such people every day' I know how to take care of myself! But obviously, you don't know! So, from now on.. remember' don't make such mistake, understood?" Khushi stands there confused and dejected as Natasha yells at her and leaves. Khushi, how ironic is it that you just had a similar conversation with Arnav! You behaved the same way with him Natasha behaved with you' do you realize that just because he loves you he keeps quiet and still takes care of you?

Khushi walks in the middle of the street as she talks to herself, "How weird these people are' I helped her and she was getting angry at me! Arnav ji was right when he said that this world of fashion is weird and that I won't be able to understand it! She stands on teh deserted street and looks for a taxi. There is no one to be seen. Khushi starts walking when Arnav pulls close to her in his car, rolls down the window and says, "Sit in the car!" Angrily Khushi says, "Why?.. It was you who said that we are not husband wife here!" Arnav looks at her and says in a calm voice, "Khushi, the day is over.. and we are not within the premises of the event' so, it does not apply.. come, sit!" The rebellious Khushi takes over, "Thank You! But.. I don't need your help!" Poor Arnav keeps looking at her as all animated she tells him, "That's why I did not bring car from home. I did not want anyone to see me getting out of a big car'" Slight frustration gets mixed in Arnav's voice and his eyes as he tries to explain to Khushi keeping his cool, "Khushi, everyone has left. You will not find any autos here. Oblige me and sit inside.. Please!" Wow, I was impressed with the heavy Hindi ASR used here! Khushi decides not to give in, adamantly she says, "No, I will go on my own!" Tired.. frustrated ASR no choice but to give up in front of adamant wife, he asks one final time, "Are you sure?" 'yes!" bang comes the reply. "Alright! Bye!" Arnav starts the car and takes off' Khushi's eyes go wide' as he drives away, she says surprised, "haaannn' He left me alone here? I am so fed up with this Laad Governor' Used to make me get down from the car earlier on every little thing' now doesn't even let me sit in the car!" Loved Loved Loved the whole scene and the dialogues! The way she says no but expects him to force her to sit in the car.. when that does not happen it frustrates her.. the reference to the earlier days was so cute' and nostalgic'

Khushi stands fuming' then looks around'. Finally says to herself, 'By the way, Arnav ji was right! How would I get a rickshaw here?" just then all of a sudden a scary looking guy pops in out of nowhere.. he looks at Khushi from top to bottom' Khushi starts walking slowly.. he walks with Khushi still looking at her constantly' his ill intentions obvious in his gaze.. he follows Khushi closely. Scared Khushi increases her pace of walking.. he increases his pace too. Of course, Arnav does not go too far leaving Khushi alone in the middle of the street. He returns to see that scared Khushi has been cornered by the goon' he stops his car close to them. Khushi's eyes spot Arnav's car right behind the bad guy.. Arnav's presence is good enough to give Khushi her courage back.. her sharp eyes quickly note a piece of wood on the street next to her feet.. she quickly bends and grabs it' "Beware.. don't try to come close!' she holds the stick in her hand like a weapon. Just then Arnav gets out of the car. He watches as Khushi says to the goon, "I know karate! I have all the black' blue.. yellow'I have all the belts!" Arnav finds her so adorable.. an affectionate smirk appears on his face as he watches his Jhansi Ki Raani.. "If you come forward, then I will break your skull open! Run away from here!" She moves forward with the stick.. the guy takes off and runs away. Arnav's smirk deepens as the guy runs away.

Khushi throws the stick away and cleans her hands pretending that she is not scared at all.. Arnav's affectionate eyes look at her with an adorable gaze. He closes the door of the car and walks over to Khushi. Khushi pretends to not have seen him, "Arey, when did you come?.. I did not see you!" Arnav realizes that Khushi does not want to acknowledge his presence giving her courage.. He says with a flicker of smile, "Did you see now? .. Before any other goon comes, come sit in the car!' Khushi cuts him off showing brevity, "Let them come if they want to! I am not afraid of anyone!.. Did you not see how I scared him off?" The mature lover in Arnav realizes the complexity of his zalli Khushi's mind.. he says, "Yes, I saw it. For my sake, come sit in the car!" Arnav is amused when Khushi starts walking towards the car saying and he follows with an affectionate smile, "Okay, alright! Since you are saying it so affectionately.. but I need no help from you!" He gets the door of the car for Khushi, once she is seated, he gets in the car and drives home.

Back At RM;

Anjali walks in to the lounge area and says to Nani ji as she sits next to her, "Nani, I'" when her eye catches Khushi enter the house. Nani ji's eyes follow her gaze.. As Arnav and Khushi walk in back to back, Nani ji says with a smile, "Arey, you are home! Khushi bitiya,, how was your day today?" Before Khushi can say anything, Arnav says with a straight face, "Very entertaining!" Khushi looks at him'when the mischievous lover in Arnav looks at her and says, "Right?" Khushi says nothing.. just averts his gaze as he turns to Nani ji and says, "Very powerful!" Nani ji, Anjali, NK and Aarav' all look at them with smiles on their faces' Khushi looks at him again, he gives her a subtle mischievous look and leaves to go to their room. "Come on, freshen up and come back! We will have dinner soon," Nani ji says. "No, Nani ji! Our trainer, Sam ji, has said that I can only have salad. And.. I have just had a salad, so I am not hungry." Khushi explains. "So, do they make you fast in Mrs. India?" Nani ji asks as Anjali suppresses her smile. NK jumps in, "Nani ji, not fasting' dieting! This is called as dieting!" Khushi folds her lips and nods in an agreement."But, Khushi bitiya, you must eat something!" Nani ji gets worried, "Otherwise you will get sick!" "Nani ji, don't you worry. I will not get sick." Khushi says. Nani ji's worried eyes follow her as she leaves to go upstairs.

Later that night:

"Thank You!" Nani ji says to HP as he serves the dinner. Khushi comes running changed into her night clothes, "Forgive me, I got late!" she says apologetically. "No problem, Khushi bitiya, HP has served the dinner," Nani ji says, "Now, you should not worry about the household chores." "But Nani ji, I can serve the food at least, right?" Khushi says. Everyone smiles and nods in affirmative. Khushi reaches for the serving dish.. as soon as she lifts it up, her face shows temptation followed by disappointment as she exclaims, "Aloo Paranthe!... Chapati stuffed with potatoes!... with butter on top!... what's the occasion?" "Bhabhi ji, in fact, I purchased more potatoes from the market yesterday. That's why I made Aloo Paranthe today!" HP explains. NK makes an eye gesture towards Khushi to indicate to Anjali.. Anjali suppresses her laugh.. as they all look at Khushi.. she closes her eyes as she brings the serving bowl close to her nose and savors the smell of the paranthe. "No.. No.. Khushi ji! You can't have it! Give it me!.. Thank you! Thank you!" NK takes it away from her and puts it on the dining table in front of her. Then he looks at Khushi and says, 'Khushi ji, you have restrictions' but we don't have any restrictions'. So, I can eat them." He takes a bite and savors the taste, "Oh.. wow'" Anjali makes a pretentious angry gesture of slapping him as she whispers, "NK.. quiet!" Then she says to Khushi, "Khushi ji, these paranthas are only look good.. they are not tasty.. they are just okay.. yeah, really! Right, Nani, they are not good, right?" Nani ji smiles and nods.

Just then Arnav walks in with a package in his hand, "Khushi, this is for you!" Khushi looks at the box in his hand and goes off on him, "You must have brought Chhole Bhature or Jalebi for me.. so that I get fat.. or may be chocolates!" Arnav looks at her with patience though not very happy, he lets her talk, "I know that you are trying to provoke me! But.. I am not going to be distracted so fast. Understand?" Arnav's keeps listening as Khushi continues and NK feels pity for him, "If you want me to get fat then I will get fat after this contest. You keep on trying to bribe me.. but I won't eat! I will starve but' anything that makes me fat I won't eat!" Everyone smiles at her angry outburst and feels bad for Arnav' he stands there with patience as she still goes on, 'I know you very well, Arnav ji! You did the same on Karwa Chauth and now also you want to do the same thing! But, I won't eat! I am steadfast on my decision! I swear by Sam ji!" Despite all her yelling and accusations, Arnav keeps his cool and says, "Come on, Khushi! Is it even possible that I bring something for you and you won't eat it? I brought this for you.. I can't believe that, you are thinking that!" His face shows his disappointment as he opens the box' to reveal a sandwich. Khushi looks around.. Anjali and Nani ji smile at her suggesting she was unnecessarily worried. Khushi reaches in the box and grabs the sandwich and takes a bite' as she chews on it, Arnav's eyes stay on Khushi's face. God how I loved to watch their expressions here'

After couple of chews, Khushi asks with wide eyes, "What is it? I feel like I am getting fatter while eating this!" The family finds it hilarious as Khushi continues, "Sam ji will kill me!" Arnav closes his eyes briefly as a smirk appears on his face. Then he says, "Khushi, this is fat free! This is what all the models eat!" Khushi's joy knows no bounds, "Really? " she asks with happy smile and wide eyes' her smile reflects on Arnav's face.. his face relaxes.. an a subtle smile appears as Khushi asks, "What is it?" "Pita Bread Sandwich!" Arnav says, "I especially brought it for you!." "Mata.. Pita.. Mother.. father.. whatever it is.. but while eating this I feel as if I am expanding!" Another sweet smirk appears on Arnav's face. Khushi continues to eat the sandwich.. pulls the box out of Arnav's hand as everyone around the table watches them.. NK exclaims, "Wow! Their Love! Amazing!" Nani ji and Anjali smile at each other as they nod in agreement' the two early witnesses of Arnav and Khushi's blossoming love! Khushi smiles at Arnav as she continues to stuff herself on the sandwich'. Arnav's affectionate gaze stays on her face.. a happy smirk appears on his face as he looks at his adorable Khushi with affectionate eyes.

As Arnav walks into their room.. his feet stop as his eyes spot Khushi by poolside' Khushi is busy practicing yoga.. she cringes at it hurts to stretch in certain positions.. The ripples in the pool water reflect the light beautifully against the backdrop of the poolside serene setting' that light bounces off Khushi's delicate figure' and her face.. Arnav's eyes sip in every little detail of his mesmerizing beauty' His eyes and his heart fill with affection and admiration for his beloved Khushi as he watches her struggle but continue to practice.. Arnav's eyes fill with more and more affection as he finds Khushi more adorable struggling to overcome the odds.. his eyes ooze admiration and love for her as a flicker of smile spreads across his lips.. Khushi moves on to try the Tree Pose.. She puts her hands together..raised above her head.. She stands in the pose briefly before losing her balance' Arnav's gaze stays steady on her.. as his heart reflects through his twinkling eyes.. He smiles to himself as he moves his gaze away. He briefly gets lost in his thoughts.. his smile deepens.. as his eyes fill with adulation and revert back to Khushi who now once again stands in the tree pose but struggles to maintain her balance.. his face changes' smile is replaced by worry.. as he watches her lose her balance.. Arnav sprints out of the room.. Khushi's fearful eyes go wide as she is about to fall when suddenly something happens to calm her nerves down' saving her from the fall'

Arnav gently holds and supports Khushi's stretched arms above her head' he stands close behind her as his arms bring Khushi's arms slowly down by her side.. his warm breath touches Khushi's face as his gaze stays steady on her face.. though unable to see his eyes.. his touch speaks to Khushi.. Hand in hand.. their bodies in close approximation' their hearts fill with passion as Arnav brings Khushi's arms to rest by her side. Khushi slowly lowers her leg and rests it down on the floor.. Their passionate hearts though are lost in longing for each other.. Arnav's hand gingerly and passionately.. ever so slightly' glides slowly from her fingers up towards her shoulder.. his touch sending sparks through Khushi's body'. As his passionate gaze steadies on her face while he touches her so passionately.. Khushi closes her eyes as she finds herself drowning in Arnav's intense passion' As Arnav's passionate fingers caress Khushi's arm ever so gently as he slides it up to her shoulder.. Khushi's breathing gets heavier.. Arnav holds her shoulder for a slight passionate squeeze as he lowers his face to plant a heavy passionate kiss on her temple. . her lips part ever so slightly.. as they quiver.. Khushi opens her eyes and turns to meet Arnav's passionate gaze as he pulls his face away. Arnav gently turns Khushi around to face him when she loses her balance' but' no, his Khushi cannot fall as long as Arnav is around and is allowed to hold her.. Arnav's hands quickly catch Khushi as Khushi holds on to Arnav's shoulder.. Arnav's hands wrapped around Khushi's delicate waist.. her hands wrapped around his shoulders.. as she stays leaned in Arnav's arms,.. Arnav and Khushi get lost in others eyes' the magical poolside witnesses yet another passionate moment in Arnav and Khushi's love life.