ArHi FF:10:The BEASTS and the BLEEDING ROSES - Page 21

Greetings, folks.

Hm. I've been acquainting myself with your reactions to the spoiler posted last night on the Inn Wall and I must say I am mildly surprised at everyone's delight in wanting to see a fiery Kushi.

But truthfully, if you remember, we have crossed over 222 chapters. 222 chapters of life that learnt and labored to make the turbulent relationship work. Deep down, Kushi might be driven to become fiery but she has also grown quite attached to the man who married her. I think I will let the chapter show you...

Chapter 223: Words in the Rain

Helplessly, Kushi hammered away at the hilt of the sword as the rain mingled with the blurring tears that cascaded down her cheeks.

Each time her father's pained expression crossed her mind, she would hammer hard to dispel the image.

The merciless rain kept pouring down and the rent in the tent over the forge made matters worse for the deluge was falling right over her head just like the way it had on Master Shashi's.

After having seen her distraught father, her heart was too broken to remain in the house and, as resolution, determined itself to complete the work he had been striving upon.

Hurt and anger for her father's state raged in her heart because she knew its liability was upon herself: it was the circumstances created by her recklessness that had forced him to lose the mill and struggle for his earnings.

She paused the hammering and breathed in.

Frustration overcame her anger at the complete lack of understanding her husband presented. That heartless animal is still clueless about all the things he had let happen! If he had CARED that I am his wife, he would not left me here and run off to his cozy cabin in the Industry!!

Picking up the metal again, she hammered away at the steel, trying hopelessly to get the damned hilt affixed to the sword blade.

Why don't you fit! she cried in desperation, Goddess Mother, why does this hilt not fasten!!!

Weeping and hammering upon the steel blade, she gave one last thrash on the hilt and was about to inspect if it was fastened tight, when cold fingers clasped around her arm, pulling her away from the forge, into the open rain, and spinning her to face the daunting visage of her husband.

She was too stunned by the suddenness of everything that her fingers went lax and Lord Arnav could easily yank the sword from her hold before flinging it onto the wet lawn.

Her dazed eyes stared down at the sword; not registering that, despite his harsh throw, the hilt remained intact around the sword.

"ARE YOU MAD!!" he yelled at her face, his hands gripping her by her shoulders.

Kushi blinked at him through the rain, watching his mouth form words but her mind was too muddled to connect with what was happening.

When the fog in her head finally faded away and the moment dawned on her conscious, she reacted instantly by pushing him away and freeing herself of his hold.

Glaring at him through the rain, she demanded, "What do you want!"

Rain washed down his face as he stared at her, "What do you mean what I-!" He paused to spit out the obstructing rain that had trickled down to his mouth, and then glowered at her, "I want you to stop this nonsense, of course! Is this something like that chocolate frenzy of yours when you feel all blue and broken?!"

"What do you care!" she said and turned around to head back to the forge.

"KUSHI!" he strode after her.

Even before she had taken two steps forward, his hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her to his chest.

"Let me go!" she struggled to be released.

But his grip was resilient and he frowned down at her bowed head, "Are you out of your mind! Who in their right mind works in a storm like this!"

Offended, Kushi glared up at him, "You sit in your lordly chair and claim to own this land and its people! What do you know about the villagers? Do you know that we are driven to work in all conditions to earn our living, unlike you?!"

"What are you talking about?" Lord Arnav stared at her, the rain drops messing with his steady vision of hers.

Kushi yanked her arm free of his hold and stepped back angrily, "Was it not your royal mouth that stated once that a lord is always a lord and a beggar always a beggar."

Lord Arnav's lips parted in disbelief of her words, "Kushi, I-"

"Well, you are right," Kushi stated flatly, hot tears running down her proud expression, "I am a beggar and so is my family. Beggars who struggle for food, for a secure future... for wedding off a dear sister to a man who loves her despite the snide accusations of his mother and the glaring societal discrepancy."

"Kushi-" he stepped forward, staggered by her words.

Ah, but our Kushi was on fire, "Yes, we are beggars struggling to survive but dignified beggars, mind you!"

"KUSHI!" He held her face in his hands, "What is wrong with you! Why-"

Guilt gripped his insides again and words failed him. Tears choked in his throat and he stared at her, desperately wanting to shatter the weight growing inside of him.

She gaped at him as though she had only awakened to the reality of her words and to his presence. Her tear-stricken gaze skipped over his features: his wet hair, his wet eyelashes and his deep mysterious brown eyes that concealed too many emotions as they looked down at her pleadingly.

Kushi bit her lip apologetically.

"I don't know what I was..." she whispered fearfully, "Babuji..."

Fresh tears rose in her eyes.

But Lord Arnav had not heard her. He was lost and drowning in his own ocean of grief, "Kushi...I had no intentions to endanger your father's trade or your family's future by my involvement in the play."

A gasp of disbelief escaped her lips as Kushi stared at him wide-eyed, "My lord, what-"

"Dammit, Kushi!" he frowned at her, "Why must you always---" He paused, "Let me-"

He closed his eyes and looked away.

Taking a deep breath, he looked at her and tried again, wanting to let it all out, "I had only done it to rile the girl who had aggravated me. If I had known..."

Once again, words evaded him and the one word that refused utterance, tormented his ache more.

His lips trembled as he struggled to get the word out, "Kushi, I'm..."

And then he resorted to the only way he could tell her.

He bent down and pressed his wet lips to her wet ones that were salty with tears.

A light, gentle kiss but he held his lips to hers for a long time, wanting to convey what he could not say.

Then he withdrew and backed away a step, his unblinking eyes on her.

Kushi stared at him as the fingers of her one hand brushed upon her lips that were warmed by his kiss.

The kiss was so similar to the kind he had given her the last night they had fought in the Castle...

Tears sprang in her eyes as understanding sank in.

You were trying to apologize...Kushi realized, as she looked at him.

As though he had heard it and could bear the vulnerable moment no more, he turned and made for the backdoor that stood open with the mother and the aunt watching uncomfortably at the entryway.

Kushi watched his retreating back. I know I might catch a cold but this strange feeling in me... it is not the rain that is the reason for it.

Closing her eyes, Kushi let the rain wash over her as her mind gathered the rush of emotions into words: Goddess Mother, am I falling in love again...?

Thank You Dear Hoopoe