# 1 FF: THE SEED OF PASSION- Chapters 1 to 8 - Page 74

Chapter 8

The Holi Kiss!

Arnav stood on the terrace of the farmhouse and looked in the direction of the village. A song which sounded like Rang Barsey...' was blaring on the microphone. He could hear the beating of the drums. The villagers were celebrating Holi!

He was glad he had convinced Khushi to go to the village to meet Gangadhar, Kamla and their baby girl, to give them gifts he had purchased for them on Holi. Bahadur had accompanied her. He looked at his watch. It was 11am. Soon her family members would land up along with Di and Jijaji to celebrate Holi at the farmhouse.

Though what fun there was in colouring each other red and green like buffoons and drenching each other with water balloons and pichkari was beyond him! But at least it would keep Khushi busy and make it easier for him to avoid her!

Avoiding her!! Yes he was, Arnav thought running his fingers through his hair! When she had almost fainted in his arms on Shivratri, he had been worried crazy! It took him every iota of control not to take her to his bedroom so that he could keep watch over her all night. But he kept a vigil outside her door all, peeping in now and then to ensure she was alright.

When he tiptoed into her room at daybreak, he sighed at the sight of her beautiful form on the bed. The urge to take her in his arms and kiss her was so intense that he quickly left the room. He bathed, dressed and left for office before she awoke.

And he had been avoiding her since then.

He knew his attitude was hurting her but he did not know how else to keep his feelings at bay. He wanted her like he wanted no one before.

The physical attraction part he understood but there was something more, that he could not lay his finger on! And it made him uncomfortable. It was as if he was losing control...no that could not be allowed!

Suddenly he heard a giggle behind him and two wet palms rubbed his cheeks with red colour.

The very girl he was trying to avoid...

"Khushi! I told you I don't like playing Holi, didn't I?" Arnav hissed as he turned and caught both her wrists in his hands.

The unexpected movement dragged her close to him.

"Holi hai ! Holi hai! Bura na mano Holi hai! (It is Holi! Don't mind please!)" Khushi sang mischievously.

She struggled against him."Chhodo Arnav! (Let me go Arnav!)" she said laughing.

"Arnav!" she scolded him in mock anger and looked up at him.

His eyes were hooded, hiding a raw emotion.

Khushi trembled against him.

"Arnav!" her voice dropped to a whisper.

Arnav released her abruptly and stepped away.

"Chhod diya...(I let you go)" his voice was hoarse.

Khushi felt her heart sinking. She backed away and turning, ran down the stairs without stopping, thinking all the while, what does he mean chhod diya! How can he leave me! But then I had asked him to let him go! But I didn't really mean that!

She almost bumped into someone at the bottom of the stairs.

"What happened Khushi? Why do you look so lost on Holi!" A familiar voice inquired gently.

Khushi looked up. It was Anjalidi she had bumped into.

"Anjalidi! When did you come?" Khushi tried to smile.

"Just now, Khushi! Happy Holi! Oh! Meet my husband, Shyam." Anjali said smiling broadly at the man standing besides her.

"Namaste Shyamji," Khushi folded her hands. She noticed that the man was looking at her intently.

Arnav's voice rang out from above the stairs . "There you are at last Di, Jijaji. I was wondering what was taking you so long."

He sauntered down the stairs and hugged his brother in law and his sister.

"How is the little one Di?" Arnav asked softly

"Little one?" Khushi butted in before Anjali could reply to her brother, "Really, Anjalidi? A baby?" she asked, her hazel eyes wide.

"Yes Khushi. You are among the first ones to know," Anjali nodded.

"And rightfully so," Arnav drawled. "Di you don't know Khushi is great with babies!"

"That's so sweet of you Khushi," Anjali patted Khushi.

Khushi saw Arnav smirking from the corner of her eye and glared at him angrily.

Thankfully Bahadur entered through the door that very moment and addressing Khushi said, "Didi, aapko kui khooz raha hayi (Didi, someone is looking for you)

Khushi followed Bahadur outside. And was pleasantly surprised to see NK standing besides his jeep, surveying the farmhouse.

"NK!" she yelped and ran the distance and hugged him, jumping up and down in excitement.

"Oh! Khushi! I did not know you would be so happy to see me!" NK grinned at her, hugging her back.

Khushi saw Arnav approaching them from the corner of her eye! She linked her arm through NK's and said in a voice loud enough for Arnav to hear, "That's because NK you are a welcome change from some people who are irritating to the power of infinity!"

Arnav heard that and clenched his fist. She was obviously referring to him. How dare she! And in front of this...this idiot NK!

Khushi deliberately ignored him and grabbing NK's arm tighter and peering into the car winked at him, "What is in these bottles inside your jeep, NK? Have you brought bhaang ?"

"He he!" NK winked back and laughed, "Jo bhaang pita hai ussey bahut saza milta hai! (Whoever has bhaang, gets a good punishment!)"

Khushi hit him on his shoulders and guffawed, correcting his Hindi, " Saza nahi, maza NK! (Not punishment NK but fun!)

"No bhaang is allowed in my house!" Arnav spoke up abruptly, his voice was sternand cold.

NK looked taken aback. "Oh! Sorry man, I did not know bhaang was taboo here!"

"Arrey nahi nahi! Hum sab bhaang piyengey! (No, no! We will all have bhang!)" Shyam who had quietly come up behind them, interjected.

"Kyon saale sahab? (What say brother in law?)" Shyam put his hand on Arnav's shoulder.

"Aur hum sabko bhang pilayengey! (And I will give bhaang to everyone!)" Anjali said enthusiastically.

"Whatever! Leave me out of this rubbish!" Arnav shrugged his shoulders and before leaving, looked pointedly at Anjali and warned her in a stern voice "And no bhaang for you Di!" he warned her.

He glared at Khushi and NK before stomping off.

Arnav marched into his room and banged the door behind him. He did not know why he was furious but the thought of Khushi with that NK irked him a lot!

He was working on his laptop when he heard Khushi screaming! Arnav immediately sprang to his feet and sprinted out of the room. He looked in the distance and let out a sigh of relief. He needn't have worried. Khushi was hugging two women. He could see her screaming and dancing, "Jiji! Buaji!"

Arnav smiled, "Paagal hai but cute hai!" and went inside his room. The sound of rejoicing and laughter only seemed to increase. There was some singing too.

Arnav finished his office work and stretched his hands above his head. He had just left his room when he heard a loud thud.It had come from Khushi's room. What the! Arnav raced down to her room...

Khushi was not in her room but she was standing in a bemused state in the middle the adjoining washroom.

Arnav ran up to her, and shook her by the shoulders, "Khushi! Khushi!Are you okay? What was that noise? Did you hurt yourself? Did you have too much bhaang to drink, dammit! Answer me! What the! That idiot NK and his bhaang! "

As he spoke, Khushi listened to him with her head cocked on one side. Her head was spinning from the after effect of bhaang. But even in her half conscious state she felt the scorching heat of his fingers as they dug into her shoulders.

She looked up with astonished hazel eyes at the liquid fire in his brown velvety ones. Her gaze swept down his long sharp nose and settled on his well-shaped lips, his husky baritone heightening her senses. His smelt so good.

Her anger melted. She had missed him. Why was he avoiding her? Why was he angry with NK? Why hadn't he celebrated Holi with her?

"Khushi are you even trying to hear me? Or do you have ears and eyes only for that NK?" Arnav gritted his teeth.

She pouted at his scolding and without thinking took a drop of bhaang from the corner of her dripping lips and touched it to his lips with her dainty finger.

"Don't you like the bhaang, Arnav?!" Khushi giggled.

Something snapped inside Arnav. His control.

"Yes," he whispered huskily and slowly licked the drop she had placed on his lips, gazing into her eyes all the time. The hungry look in his eyes sent shivers down her spine.

Khushi's heart started racing wildly. She shivered. She took a step back. And another. Arnav moved towards her, the passion in his eyes intensifying.

Khushi hit the wall and the shower knob at the same time. Water gushed out of the faucet, drenching them.

Arnav groaned and reaching out pulled her against his chest. Khushi heard her willing heart pounding in her ears. She clutched the lapel of his white shirt, her stomach knotting. For what seemed like eternity Arnav looked deep into her eyes through the mist. And then his lips were on hers.

Khushi's world exploded into golden and silver stars and scented rose petals as she his hard lips moved over her pliant ones.

He drank hungrily from her pink lips, the sweet taste of bhaang before it was totally washed away by the water falling down her face. Khushi moaned, her lips parting like parched petals inviting him to taste more. Her body tingling to sensations she did not know existed.

Arnav plunged his tongue into her mouth, licking every sweet corner of her mouth. Khushi dug her fingers in his wet hair and pressed closer to him, she stood tiptoe, and arched her back, to give him full access to her mouth. Yet it was not enough it seemed.

They broke apart gasping for air, but Arnav did not loosen his hold on her. He ran his eyes and thumb over her lips, then her throat, the racing pulse at the base, the exposed portion of her chest... lower still at her hard arching peak!

Khushi felt dizzy,as pleasure shot through her veins!

The strains of a song wafted in,

Piya tohse naina lagey re...

Jaane kya ho ab aagey re...

(Beloved, I have fallen for you...

I don't know what will happen now...)