Khushi had the dinner with Arnav and she casually bade him a goodnight and went up. Khushi wanted Arnav to sweat a little. She wanted to have him on his toes. Serves him right she thought.
For his part, Arnav was still in the bewildered state. Did this mean Khushi was friends again? Or was she not? Why was she behaving strangely with him? Women and their ways, Arnav grunted to himself. He had no choice but to get to bed without much to do.
The next morning Khushi got up very early and got ready for office. She asked HP to prepare the breakfast. She knew Arnav had gone for his morning jog. Khushi silently crept into his room and changed the ringtone of his mobile. Ah! the revenge starts here she thought.
Khushi nonchalantly went about her work. She was ready after her breakfast by the time Arnav came down for his. He was as usual attired in his black three piece suit. Arnav faltered slightly seeing Khushi already ready with her bag and sitting on the sofa. "Haven't you had your breakfast?"
"I already had Arnie." Her expression was complete innocence.
"But..but you always have it with me."
"I needed to go early Arnie and that reminds me can you drop me today? Please? I am already running late."
Arnav abandoned the idea of steaming breakfast and went with Khushi immediately. She mentally ticked her list - no breakfast. Very good Mr ASR. Starve today. Khushi grabbed some jelabis and went to the car. Arnav was ravenous especially after his morning jog. His black coffee hadn't done anything to his hunger. Arnav looked longingly at the jelabis but Khushi hardly offered him a piece. She was happily munching the sweet and humming to herself.
Arnav had never liked sweets and he always declined whenever Khushi had offered him in the past. After a while she had stopped offering. Now he regretted all those times. Wish he had taken a bite. At least then she would have offered him some now.
Khushi noted his gaze from the corner of her eyes. She gave an inward smile and proceeded to relish and eat the jelabis wantedly. In no time the hotel came and she got down with a smile. "Thank you Arnie. See ya. And don't forget to pick me up today. I will call you."
"What? But you usually travel by yourself."
Khushi pretended to be hurt. She deliberately manipulated his words. "But..but you were the one who said I should come to you for everything and not seek anyone else's help. I..I thought you will pick me up Arnie."
Now Arnav was truly stuck. He couldn't say he didn't mean his words. Of course he had meant it but that didn't mean he had to wait for her like a chauffeur all day long. How the hell did he get into this mess precisely? Arnav gave her a distracted look and said he will come. Arnav was already mentally rescheduling his evening calls and meetings to suit her plans.
That meant more work for Aman. Oh what the hell! Arnav went in to his cabin and asked for coffee. He had forgotten about a meeting and hurriedly prepared for it. After the coffee Aman and himself went for the meeting with the designers. The orders were pouring in and already several leading lifestyle stores wanted to stock their designs.
Arnav had also gone to get some lucrative deals around the world. He was fast gaining the reputation of being one of the youngest millionaires. Arnav was a hard task master and spared none at work. He wanted complete attention during meetings and didn't tolerate any interruptions, personal or otherwise. It was almost lunch time and they were coming to the end of the meeting when his phone rang.
Instead of the usual silent vibrations, a loud screechy hindi tapori song began to play. Everyone looked at him and he realized the sound came from his own pocket. Arnav hurriedly took the phone out and cut the call. He didn't even bother to see who the caller was.
Arnav's face took a reddish tinge. He didn't like to be the laughing stock amongst his designers and staff. "The meeting is over. We will continue later." He abruptly went out in long, fast strides.
Again the same bloody song started playing. He noticed Khushi's name in the caller ID and knew it was she who must have done it. Arnav took the call immediately. "Khushi!"
"Arnie." Her voice was sounding feeble and worried. Arnav immediately forgot about the phone and asked her what the matter was.
"Arnie, I am not feeling too well. Can you come now?" She put all her acting skills to good use and scared the hell out of him. He said he was already starting. Arnav called Aman and asked him to cancel the remaining meetings for the day. He asked Aman to reschedule them to a later day.
Arnav drove to Khushi's hotel and picked her up. "What happened? Are you ill? Do you have fever or something?"
Khushi just held her head with her fingers. "No, I just feel faint." She made her voice sound feeble.
"I am directly going to the doctor. Right now." He almost sounded panicked.
"No!" "There's no need for that. I just need some rest. Yeah that's all." She didn't know how to get out of the doctor's visit. Thankfully he seemed to be placated. Arnav quickly drove back home. He didn't even allow her to walk. Arnav carried Khushi in his arms, to her room.
Khushi was very happy to trouble him and more. She lay down and asked him to get water. When he settled her down and was about to leave, she caught his hand. "Arnie stay here for a while. Please." Arnav sighed and stayed back. Today Khushi was clinging on to him. What was the matter? For once instead of moving away she was trying to be around him. But he wasn't sure if her intentions were pure.
Arnav opened his laptop and checked his emails. She put on the TV meanwhile and was watching some boring bollywood movie full of drama and tears. Arnav was hungry and irriated. He hadn't had anything since morning and on top of that he had to cancel his important meetings and endure this bollywood nonsense.
Arnav called HP out loud but Khushi said that he had taken the day off. "Why?"
"I thought both of us will be at work till late and gave him the day off. Nani is not there..who will he cook for?"
Arnav hissed out a frustrated breath and ran his hands impatiently through his hair. He thought he would order something from outside. Arnav got up with his phone. He said he will come back in a minute and tried a local restaurant's number. He went out and noticed his charge was low. Arnav came back to get the charger when he noticed Khushi happily singing along and almost dancing. She didn't even remotely look sick.
Arnav had the first stirrings of doubt then. He deliberately made some noise and came in. He noticed she settled back the moment she heard the noise. Hmm! Arnav took the charger and went out. He looked back after going ahead and saw her heave a sigh of relief. Arnav's eyes narrowed. So it had been her plan all along. He wanted to show her nobody messes with Arnav Singh Raizada.
Arnav ordered something and came in casually. She was now lying down on the bed, still in her beige suit and plaited hair. Arnav flopped besides her on the bed. Khushi immediately bolted up. "Wh..what are you doing?" Her eyes were wide.
"Nothing, just relaxing. Anyways my day is ruined. So I thought I'd make good use of it."
"But why here? Why next to me?"
He looked and sounded hurt at her words. "Khushi, you were the one who wanted me to stay."
Khushi mentally kicked herself for asking him to stay. She kept quiet and chewed her fingernails. Meanwhile Arnav settled down even more comfortably and took her hands in his. "Khushi, good that you sent HP out. It's now only us. You and me. Alone." Arnav's voice had dropped an octave and he looked at her through hooded eyes.
Khushi gulped in fear. What had she let herself into? Khushi's eyes darted here and there in fear. She didn't know how to extricate herself from this situation. Khushi wanted to play pranks on Arnav but it very badly backfired on her.
Arnav noticed her facial expressions with a sexy smirk. He was beginning to enjoy the day off finally. He didn't think it was such a bad thing that he had come back home abruptly. "Aren't you still feeling well Khushi? You look a little pale. Come I will take you to the doctor."
He immediately sprang out of the bed and urged her to come out too. Khushi tried telling him she was okay. "I am perfectly fine Arnie. Please."
"If you were fine you would never have called me. And see how pale you are. You're eyes are also looking sick. I think we definitely need to see a good doctor. Wait let me check." And he started scrolling over his phone.
Khushi panicked "Hey Devi Maiya what shall I do now?" She snatched the phone. "No need for all this. I just need a little rest."
"I can't leave you like this. What sort of a friend am I?"
Khushi just lost her patience. "For Godssake! I am completely okay, more than okay, in peak health. I just wanted to ruin your day and make you run around me. For all that you said that day. Huh!" Khushi looked at him in exasperation and blurted out everything.
Arnav started laughing at her plight. "And you thought you could mess with me? I knew of your plans Khushi Kumari Gupta. You can't fool me." He pulled her close and nuzzled her hair.
"Ar..Arnav..." It came out as breathy whisper.
"I am hungry." His voice was husky.
"I know. Am sorry. I didn't let you eat.." she started
"For you."
Khushi's eyes widened like two saucers hearing his words. "I am hungry for you Khushi. It has been so long since you came near me, allowed me to touch you, caress you, kiss you..." He was touching her, caressing her, and kissing her neck as he spoke.
Khushi clutched his shoulder for support. Arnav carried her gently to the bed. Muted light came through the thick, dark curtains making her look even more beautiful. Khushi was mesmerized by his brown eyes. They seemed to be eating her alive. She couldn't move even if she wanted to.
Arnav shed his jacket and tie and came down on top of her. Khushi freezed him out for a moment. She remembered his harsh words. Arnav accurately guessed the cause of her reaction. "Sweetheart am sorry. I didn't mean what I said. I know you would never ever let any man near you except me. And I would kill anyone who even tried." He took her arms and put it around his neck.
Arnav continued while kissing on her knuckles and arms in between. "I also know how you feel about me Khushi. I am a very lucky man. To be loved and cherished like this." He looked up at her when he said that.
Khushi's voice stuck in her throat. She was overwhelmed by too many things happening around her. Khushi was shy and reluctant to voice her love now. She had said it out at the heat of the moment. But now she wasn't feeling so bold.
Arnav unbuttoned his shirt in haste. He then caressed Khushi's waist and his hands slowly crept up. Khushi closed her eyes and bit her lip from crying out when his hands went beneath her top.
Arnav rolled her on top and kissed her on her lips. Her lips felt raw from all the biting and he soothed her with his own lips. Khushi gave a sigh and relaxed slightly but stiffened the very next moment when he undid the clasp beneath her top. Arnav's hands freely roamed on her back.
Khushi broke off and gasped for breath. She was having difficulty even thinking at the moment. In a quick movement, Arnav took her top off her head. Khushi was shocked at the cool air hitting her bare skin. She immediately covered herself.
Arnav slowly led her back to the bed and took away her hands. She protested but he kissed her senseless and side tracked any protest she might have. Khushi saw his smooth, wide chest right in front of her eyes. He had the most perfect abs and wide shoulder. Arnav obviously worked out and it clearly showed in his strong, muscular body.
She tentatively touched him. Arnav sucked in a breath. Scared, Khushi took her hands away but Arnav caught her wrist and silently bid her to touch him. Red faced and trembling, Khushi was lost in her innocent exploration. This was the first time she was touching Arnav in a sexual manner.
Arnav bent down and took her lower lip within his lips. She made a small sound. He bent down and caught the tight peak in his mouth. Khushi arched her body helplessly. Her hands went around his back instinctively. Her head thrashed the pillows and her hands moved up to his head that was still bent down.
"Arnav..please" It came out as a whimper. She didn't even know what she was pleading for.
Arnav stopped abruptly at her voice. He knew one step ahead, and both of them will be lost. Ignoring his hard body that was complaining in frustration, Arnav sat up quickly and started buttoning his shirt. Khushi looked in completely shocked. Maybe she was too forward and he didn't like it. Her eyes started clouding with tears.
Arnav bent to retrieve her garments. He silently handed it to her, without looking at her. When she was dressed, he turned around. He was shocked to see her tears. "Khushi, why are you crying?"
She sobbed harder at that. He tipped her chin and wiped her tears. "Why are you crying? I stopped. We didn't do anything."
"Why? You...you didn't like me? Maybe I didn't do it right."
Arnav was dumb founded at how her brain functioned. Her obvious lack of confidence disturbed him. Arnav hugged her. "Khushi, if I didn't stop now we would never have stopped. Am sure you didn't want that. Don't you want to do it right? With all the damn rituals?"
Khushi nodded into his chest. "And what if I'd got you pregnant?" His voice husked.
Khushi's face flamed in embarrassment and she looked stricken. Thank god Arnie had stopped. He made her look at him, noticing her reluctance to do so. "Khushi, it's ok. Don't beat yourself to death. I want you to know you mean the world to me. We will do it the right away only. You deserve that." Khushi was touched at his words. At that instant she fell all over in love again.
Khushi gave him a shy kiss on his cheek and went out of the room to get something for him to eat.
Part 16
Web Series
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
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