ArHi SS-Full Measure (Chapter 3, pg 6) 30thMay

Hi,

Chapter 1 - The line it is drawn

The black faux shimmer material of her georgette sari rippled under her dainty movements as she turned around, her smoky eyes watching the opulence around her with mild curiosity. The almost negligible back of blouse stayed bare to the cool breeze, tickling the skin with its gentle flutters. She glimmered on the surface of midnight blue water, gold dots all over the sari reflecting as if tiny fire lamps. It was called the Lily Pond. It was like an oasis of tranquillity spread around it and seemed to recreate the allure and mystique of Lake Picholo within the heart of the fortress. It had once belonged to a ruler - this palace. The manager had told her, in earlier times this courtyard was used for frolic and festivity as the ruler indulged in Holi, a festival of colors heralding the onset of spring. Her eyes stayed on the gently swaying water and then slowly lifted to the shady backgrounds of Aravali Range. The luster of the moon, the decorative guild moldings and the Lily Pond courtyard offering a fairy tale setting that could easily kindle a modern day romance. Khushi smirked at the thought.

A fairy tale setting... Sure it was.

"Khushi beta" her mother's low call reached her and she stifled an urge to laugh. Funny how this woman - her mother - could almost hoodwink her own daughter with her virtuous spectacle.

Khushi turned her back to the lake, leaving behind the few stolen moments of calm. Her gait was graceful, poised - as was expected from her - her spine straight, her head held high. One hand stayed pressed against the pleats of her sari and other ran through her long, midnight black straight hair and she gave herself a few seconds to plaster the polite society smile on her face, as she negotiated her way through the crowd of hundreds, nodding and smiling at all the known and unknown faces.

"Mother" Khushi purred "You called" as she now stood beside Mrs. Aradhya Swarankar Gupta, the president of People's Party - one of the leading political parties of their country. Her father had led the party before he was murdered twelve years ago. Khushi has been just eleven then. It was only natural for his wife to step up on his position after his demise even if she was the one who directed his fall. Politics was a dirty game. A very, very dirty game.

"Yes, beta. I'd like you to meet Mr. Gandhi here. He is the owner of Linctus Inc. He plans to support us for the elections this year" she said, her golden eyes somber, her smile so polite and warm, even Khushi had a hard time trying to decipher its authenticity. She had short hair that touched her shoulder blades and she wore plain beige sari with light embroidery at the borders. Anybody who saw her enunciated her to be the epitome of grace and sheer elegance. A perfect woman.

"And Mr. Gandhi this is my youngest, Khushi. She's been living in the US from last five years. Khushi's returned only last week for NK's engagement. I don't know what these children see in those western counties. It's like we can never give them the best here" she laughed, her voice so soft and tickling.

Khushi barely stopped herself from letting out a cutting reply and instead extended her hand to shake Mr. Gandhi's. He was an old man, maybe around sixty but as soon as their hands connected Khushi almost groaned. Not again! She wanted to shout. The man's grip was tight as he held her hand for longer than necessary, his thumb running gentle circles under her wrist. His smile was polite as deceiving as his touch but his gaze was leering. He wore a pricy black suit, his belly protruded a good few inches.

It wasn't the first time tonight someone way older than her had tried to or made a pass at her. And it wasn't as if she wasn't used to this. Growing up with her mother and losing her father at a very young age, Khushi was well taught at the task of protecting herself from such unwanted advances and debauchery. Being so busy, her mother wasn't always around to save her and Khushi really doubted she would care to do anything even if she'd been around. Hadn't she seen the fate of her elder sister? Another cold murder of her own family at the hands of Aradhya Gupta.

And so, she bared her teeth at him and pressed her hand more firmly into his. Her smile stayed, her eyes never wavering from his face even as the older man flinched under the sudden assault of her long finger nails. Yeah, they were less of vanity and more a weapon to her

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Gandhi," she said, her voice so mocking it wasn't hard to discern the wild fire of incense that was be roaring beneath the surface.

The man visibly covered under such a contemptuous stare and instantly snatched his hand away "Yeah... Ahem... You too beta" he struggled, as he looked anywhere but at Khushi.

Khushi shook her head and turned to her mother, meeting the older woman's glare head on "Is that all mother? I'd like to go and have something to drink then. My throat is parched" her smile was polite under her mother's condescending gaze.

Aradhya gave her a stiff nod and turned back to Mr. Gandhi her face apologetic. And Khushi knew the man had dared to make any advance on her only under her mother's knowledge or maybe, pitch. As Khushi turned, her eyes met with her older brother over the crowd. NK raised a questioning eyebrow at her, his face looking concerned. Khushi smiled at him in reassurance and shook her head. She looked at Isabella - NK's Italian fiance and mimed crazy at him. He sent her a mock glare and then winked. Laughing Khushi blew him a kiss and then made her way to the bar.

Her brother had been in love with Isabella for last ten years. They'd met in the US, where they were perusing similar degree. Saying theirs was long and drawn out affair would be apt and everyone was relieved now that they were making themselves official. Khushi was happy for her brother. Though she wasn't a big fan of her future sister in law. It wasn't as if Isabella was snotty or bitchy. On the contrary, she was rather cold. She rarely bothered getting acquainted with anyone or even make an effort to exchange a few polite words. NK had told her it was her nature, that she was still getting used to the idea of getting married into India's one of the most recognized political family and honestly Khushi did not mind. It wasn't like she'd have to live around Isabella for long. She'd be going back to the US in next three

months anyway.

"Hey Khushi" a male voice called from behind, one she instantly recognized. Hastily keeping her glass on the bench, she looked up and grinned in earnest at her best friend.

"Hey Aman" Khushi greeted him and stretched on her toes, throwing her arms around him. Aman hugged her back with as much warmth and Khushi instantly inhaled the familiar and comforting fragrance of her friend.

"You never told me you were back" Aman accused, his eyes soft yet looking mildly hurt.

"Sorry, Man" she touched her ear, using her endearment for him to appease him "I really got busy once I came back. And you know how it is around my Mom. I could barely make any time for myself but you were always on my mind" she said waving a mild hand as she smiled

"I miss you Khushi, " Aman said, his handsome face looking tenderly at her.

"I miss you too Boo," Khushi said "There's nothing I miss back home more than you"

"Back home?" Aman raised a troubled eyebrow "So you plan to go back?"

"Of course! You believe I'd stay in this hell hole for long?"

Aman stayed quiet, his thoughtful eyes intent on her and Khushi looked right back. She loved him to death but there was nothing that could convince her to stay. She'd get the hell out of this country again first chance she got.

They were saved from the further argument as Aman's phone rang and he got busy answering it. He explained their location to whoever was on the other end and then disconnected. As he looked at her again there was an excited gleam about something

"Who was it?" Khushi asked curiously

"Someone... Special." Aman said, grinning "His name is Arnav and I have been waiting whole evening to introduce him to you"

Khushi's eyes widened at Aman's reaction to whoever this Arnav was "He isn't you new boyfriend Man, is he? Surely you won't dare..." she trailed as she tried to inhale a sudden rising panic.

"No!" Aman almost yelled "Of course not. I won't ever bring my boyfriend here Khushi. Nobody would want me to flaunt about my embarrassing sexuality in such a public place" his face though calm held a shadow of a lifetime of pain.

Khushi gripped his bicep feeling guilty of her outburst "Aman I'm sorry. You know I would never -"

"It's okay. Drop it now. He's here"

Khushi inhaled deeply, her eyes stilled on Aman's sombre face even as she felt someone approach them. Her friend's pain felt like twisting her insides. But she could do nothing for him. And now she had hurt him like this.

Aman though seemed unmindful of her inner turmoil "Arnav meet, Peeka as in Khushi. And Khushi meet Arnav Singh Raizada, my friend. I met him while I was doing my MBA at IIM. He is working as an investment banker currently"

Khushi looked away from Aman, instinctively pulling on her social Khushi smile and looked up Arnav.

"Hi, Khushi," Arnav said extending his hand, his voice so low and husky she felt shivers run down her spine.

Her own hand rose automatically to reach his, her eyes connect to his warm chocolate brown ones. "Hi Arnav" Khushi replied, "Nice to meet you" and for the first time in the evening genuinely meaning it.

"Nice to meet you too. I have heard so much about you from Aman. Honestly, it is a relief to finally meet you." his gorgeous face replete with good- natured humor.

Khushi threw her head back and laughed "Really? What all has boo been saying about me? I hope it's all good"

"Oh, well doesn't even begin to cover it" Arnav replied, "But now when I have had a peek myself, I don't think even his words have done any justice" and his warm and intense eyes stared deep in her own and

Khushi felt her stomach do a double flip.

He has to be by far a gorgeous man she's ever met. Not that princely gorgeous. But the fine looking, well manned, subtle handsomeness that resided only in few men. He didn't seem to be one of those exceptionally rich elites present here. In fact, he seemed to be from a humble background. But nothing from his expression showed that he felt out of place or intimidated. In fact, the liquid ease with he seemed to blend in this place was his biggest charm. He wasn't pretty but was attractive. The fetching build encased in a reasonably simple formal suit was so much more mesmerizing than those of donning the well-tailored cut ones. He was tall, strong and so adequate. And Khushi knew this wasn't going to be a mild crush this time.

"Well thank you" she smiled a full smile at him, knowing it could be easily interpreted as an open invitation but did she care? She turned back to Aman "And I boo, I love you for being so awesome to me" and then winked discreetly so that only Aman could see.

Aman winked right back and Khushi knew now the reason being his sudden excitement towards Arnav.

"Alright, I need to go now. I think they'll be starting the ceremony soon. See you around and" she turned to Arnav, her heart suddenly thumping at his serene gaze "I was nice having you here Arnav. Glad you could come" Khushi smiled at him

He returned her smile, the bewitching hold of his eyes so alluring "Me too. See you around Khushi"

Her heart thrummed as she walked away, feeling the warm brush of certain molten chocolate eyes caressing her form.

Okay. So that's it for the first chapter. I'll be updating the 2nd chapter on Friday after 8PM ISt. Please do leave your feedback .😊

this is same story na where u had written 6-7 chapters.khushi from political family and anjali or akash suicides.?

Welcome back dear. Nice to see another story from you. Very interesting. How beautifully you described khushi and her background. .loved the meeting between the duo. Aman is always favourite. I was also disgusted same as khushi on that old person leering at her. have met these type of people myself in my young age in india in public places. I am so glad that Khushi gave him back. Will wait for story to unfold further.

This was super!!!!

wow...nice start...loved your desription about arnav...glad you are back...khushi is so strong here...want to know more about arnav...aman is gay...hard to digest..n.but simply awesome...hating aaradhya so much ...loved it

i had read this story long time back

Interesting start. I really can't understand how can a mother allow such things. Khusi' mother very well know the intention of the old man. I guess that's why politics is dirty. Arnav is Banker. That's different. Waiting for the next.

Yay welcome back!!! I think u wrote the similar story but left it last time cannot wait to read this and love all your works!!! Looking forward to read this story :-)