Ashi FF#4 THE SEED OF PASSION, Chapters 24 to 33 - Page 17

" Are you sure Ranisahiba? You don't know this man!" Shyam shrieked at Anjali increduolusly. He was sure he had caught Aakash red handed!

"Jijaji you heard Di deny didn't you? Arnav said dismissively.

He had not loosened his hold on the struggling man and now shaking him by the collar, he barked, "Who the hell are you? What are you doing on my property?"

The man coughed loudly and then said in a broken voice, "Cab... I am a cab driver from Singh Car Service... I was told a pick up a customer at this address and drop him to the airport...to wait at the gate at the back of the garden at 12 o'clock sharp...

He paused for breath, " And then suddenly out of the blue this man jumped at me from behind the bushes and began bashing me up for no rhyme or reason!" He lashed out at Shyam and pointing a finger at him rasped, "Is he a mad man!?"

"What do you mean?! How dare you!" Shyam was equally enraged and raised his hand to slap the man.

But Arnav caught his hand in midair.

"There is no need for this Jijaji! I am going to call the police!"

Oh no! Anjali thought. I cannot let Chhotey involve the police in this and expose Aakash! This man might have been planted by Aakash deliberately!

"No, Chhotey please...please don't inform the police! Let the man go! I am sure he is innocent!"

Arnav was surprised at his Di's imploring tone. He saw the worried look in her eyes and his face became thoughtful. There must be a reason why Di was in the garden at this time of the night!

Shyam interrupted his train of thought and countering his wife, screamed "No no, don't let him go Saale sahib! Don't listen to Ranisahiba!"

This cab driver was probably the only link to Aakash in Delhi and Subhadra Mallik would probably skin him alive if he let this chap slip away, Shyam thought sweat breaking on his brow.

By this time Arnav was sure that the matter was graver than he had imagined. Both Di and Jijaji were hiding something from him. His mistrust in Shyam resurfaced rapidly. Looking directly into Shyam's eyes Arnav inquired suspiciously,

"But Jijaji I cannot understand why you allowed Di to come to the garden in the dark in the first place!"

The same thought occurred to Anjali too. When she left their room she had thought Shyamji was asleep but obviously he was not! But why did he follow her on the sly instead of asking her where she was going in the middle of the night, she thought with a heavy heart.

Shaym stared at the brother sister duo at a loss of words.

"I ...I...I thought Ranisahiba was walking in her sleep...," he gave a limp excuse sheepishly.

He is obviously lying, Arnav clenched his fist, and controlled his anger. I have to get to the bottom of this and fast!

Arnav took all details from the cab driver and let him go reluctantly on his Di's insistence.

Shyam escaped to his room feigning a headache. He did not want Arnav to start off with his inquisition again.

Anjali refused to go back to bed. She insisted she was fine and made her way to the pooja room wanting to be left alone with the deities. She knew Chhotey would not follow her inside.

Arnav posted himself outside the pooja room, sensing that something was weighing heavy on Di's mind. He knew his Di could be as stubborn as him if at times... I guess she will tell me when she is ready he rued, walking up and down outside the pooja room in frustration.

Anjali was in two minds whether to tell Arnav about Aakash. She was extremely worried. She was hoping Aakash would call her and therefore wanted to be alone. She looked at her watch. She would give Aakash half an hour and if she did not hear from him within that time she would disclose everything to Chhotey and seek his help to find their cousin.

As she folded her hands in front of the deity for guidance she tried to push away to the back of her mind her gnawing and growing suspicion about her husband. Tears stung her eyes...

"Have all my prayers and fasts for a happy married life been rendered futile Devi Maiyya?" A huge drop of tear blemished her sweet face...

She must have dozed off leaning on the temple, for she got up with a start at the buzzing sound of her phone vibrating.

She connected the line and saying a silent prayer spoke eagerly into it, "Aakash?" she inquired her heart pounding in her chest. "Are you okay?"

There was a long pause before Aaksh spoke up, "Yes Di...Is anyone else with you at this moment?"

"No,"Anjali whispered shaking her head, clutching the phone as if she was holding on to her cousin.

"Listen Di I am not going to be available on phone in a few mments from now. But I will try to get in touch with you again.."

"Someone obviously heard our conversation..." Aakash continued in a grim voice, "Do you know who it could be?'

"Yes, " Anjali's voice was a trembling whisper, "It probably was Shyamji..." she said crying softly, that is why he had followed her to the garden...the husband she had trusted, it seemed the world around her was crumbling!

She disconnected the line and slumped on the wall weeping silently lest Arnav heard her.

The door bell of the Gupta house rang urgently, incessantly.

"Kaun hai Nand Kishore? (Who is there, nand Kishore!)" Buaji shouted from her room. They were already getting late to go to the Raizada house! It would not do to get late for the pooja! She rushed towards the door muttering a dozens Nand Kishores!

She opened the door with a scowl.

She was surprised to see her neighbour, Preeto's mother Dholni better known in the neighbourhood as Dholni chachi, at the door.

Dholni chachi grinned showing her paan stained teeth.

Buaji sighed! She had no time to listen to Dholni chachi's gossip!

"I heard your nephew was very ill and you had to leave suddenly Dholni. When did you come back?" Buaji asked stepping aside to let her neigbour inside the house.

Dholni sat down on the diwan and settling herself on the cushions said gravely, "Oh yes I had to leave suddenly but Ramji ki kripa se (thanks to Lord Rama) my nephew is much better now. So I returned to save your household from disaster, Madhumati ! I am after all a good neighbour!"

Buaji's eyes popped out! "Disaster?! What are you talking about Dholni? Haye re Nand Kishore!"

Dholni chachi did not answer immediately. Instead she took out a paan (betel leaf) from her paan box and putting it in her mouth chewed on it thoughtfully, all the while shaking her head and sighing.

"Arrey batao bhi Dholni! (Heck, please tell me Dholni!)," Buaji sank down on the chair, a worried look on her face.

Dholni chachi looked all around the room and whispered conspiratorily, "Where are your nieces, Madhumati?"

"They are getting ready, we have to go to the Raizada house for pooja !"Buaji said impatiently, her head throbbing already. "Did you want to say anything?

"Yes of course! Well you see the day I left for my nephew's house, I was doing pooja in my courtyard when I saw...". Dholni chachi paused for effect.

Buaji leaned forward on the couch, "What?..." She questioned in anticipation

"I saw a man jumping from the terrace of your house and escaping..." Dholni chachi finished with a flourish!

"A thief!" Madhumati shrieked.

"No, no! A suited booted handsome boy! I saw him real close..."Dholni chachi said triumphantly.

"You understand what that means Madhumati?"

Buaji shook her head, too zapped to say anything.

"It means some young man has got evil designs on one of your nieces, or both of them! Why else was he on your terrace?"

"What are you saying Dholni!" Buaji was distraught.

"Yes, why else did I rush to your house as soon as I got back! You must get your unmarried nieces married immediately, Madhumati, understand! Before some sadak chhap Romeo (unfit lover boy) whisks them away!"

Buaji's jaw dropped and her eyes filled with fear.

"You are right Dholni, "Buaji murmured. "Nand Kishore baba had asked me to postpone the engagements till the time was right! I think the bad phase has passed and the time is perfect to go head with their marriage plans again! What say Dholni?"

Dholni chachi nodded her head and grinned through her stained yellow teeth, "Exactly!" she purred.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Khushi brushed her hair vigorously, as if it could not get rid of the ache in her heart... Arnav...Lavanya... marriage...what if what HP had said was true!

The comb slipped out of her hand and dropped to the floor.

Hey devi maiyya ...

Buaji hollered, "Khushi hurry up! We are getting late for the pooja, Anjali bitiya will be waiting for us. You do not want to keep the Raizadas waiting, do you?"

Khushi's heart skipped a beat at the thought of seeing those brown lazy eyes, that hard jaw and the smirk. Her heart raced wildly. Her mind confused. No, she did not want to meet him. Yes she wanted to meet him... She had to know what he felt about Lavanya.

She looked at herself in the mirror. Her face was as pink and flushed as the saree she was wearing! Hey Devi Maiyya why does the mere thought of Arnav do this to me, she winced! She dashed out of her room bumping into Buaji and almost toppling her over!

"Hayye re Nand Kishore! Will you kill me Titaliya! Here you were taking so much time to get dressed and now you are flying like a plane!" Buaji shriekedd rubbing her shin.

Khushi stopped in her tracks, her eyes wild.

"What happened to you Parmeswari?" Buaji peered into her face.

"Nothing Buaji," Khushi smiled widely to hide her thoughts about Arnav and her blush.

"Hayye re Nand Kishore what goes on in that pagal mind of yours only you know!" Buaji said grumbling.

"Okay listen you and Payaliya go ahead, I will come later...with someone else..."

"Who Buaji?" Khushi asked curiously.

"You shall see..." Buaji winked at her.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Arnav woke up with a start! He must have dozed off! Someone was calling him! He rubbed his eyes. It was a beautifully dressed, smiling Di!

Arnav's heart warmed up immediately. "How are you Di?' he questioned her.

"How do I look Chhotey?" Anjali smiled radiantly hiding her unhappy thoughts about her husband behind the smile. For today Anjali was willing to forget her worries. It was after all her Chhotey's birthday. How could she have forgotten last night!

Cupping his face and kissing his forehead she said, "How can I be anything but delighted that it is my brother's birthday! May Devi Maiyya shower her blessings on you always, my dear brother and bring you lots of happiness in your life!"

Arnav took her hands in his and made a face, "Di you know I don't like anyone wishing me on my birthday or celebrating it!"

"Okay, okay we will not get into this argument again Chhotey! But get dressed and come down for the pooja. The pooja is for you and your company after all!"

She wanted them to put behind the events of last night. Her brother was visibly shaken she could see that. What if something had really happened to her last night! What would happen to her brother! Who would look after him! For all his stern exterior inside he was a mass of nerves, soft, sensitive, quick to hurt.

She believed only one peron could understand him, comfort him, hold him, be with him through thick and thin...

" AK! AK! AK! I wonder what it means!" she said in mock innocence.

Arnav shook his head at Di in a You- won't- give- up- will- you? manner.

Anjali gave him an innocent I- don't- know- what- you- mean look and shut the door behind her and took a deep breath. She wanted him to acknowledge his feelings for Khushi. That would be her birthday gift to him, she smiled to herself.

Arnav sighed as the door shut. With a jolt he recollected the events of last night. What if something had happened to Di! What if he had lost her!! If something ever happened to her or Khushi...

Khushi! Did he just say Khushi! Arnav stared at his reflection in the mirror stupefied.

And then as if by magic her angelic vision appeared in the mirror. She was looking exquisite in a pink chiffon saree... her face gleaming, her hair shining, her lips parted, her eyes holding a question in them...

Arnav blinked. What the! Was he dreaming!

"Arnav?" her hesitant voice floated towards him.

"Khushi? You are really here?" he said in awe, turning around immediately.

Khushi stopped breathing. The way his brown eyes were penetrating her very core made Khushi's stomach churn.

Khushi tried to look away from his magnetic gaze but failed.

She stuttered self consciously,

" Y..Yes..Jiji and I just arrived. Anjaliji sent me to call you down for the pooja."

But the real reason was something else.

No sooner had she arrived in RM Anjaliji had whispered in her ear teasingly that Arnav had named his new company after her! And she wanted to know if that was true! Why should Arnav do something like that!

"I also wanted to ask you something..." she said lowering her lashes in confusion and then looking straight into his eyes asked in a rushed breathless voice,

" What does AK mean? Is it true you have called your company AK?"

A hush fell in the room, neither moving. Yet their hearts were in turmoil, beating deafeningly in their ears.

"What do you think AK stands for Khushi?" his voice was a husky whisper as he advanced slowly towards her.

She did not want to know, she really did not! Last time when she had entered his room, Lavanya was with him...all over him.

Why Devi Maiyya, why did he affect her so! She retreated till she hit the wall, her heart thudding. One moment she felt she was important to him and the very next moment he would do or say something that would plunge her in an abyss of clawing pain.

But ...but...he hadn't called his company AL had he?!

And now she was trapped by his arms as he planted them on either side of her head on the wall...He was so close that he she could see right into his brown irises which darkened as he smirked, "AK...Arnav... Khushi..." He leaned into her, his eyes hooded, confirming what she already knew.

"The names sound so good together don't they?" His warm breath fanned her face...Khushi closed her eyes and clutched her pink saree where it caressed her thighs...

"As if they were meant to be ..." his lips brushed her just about and Khushi felt her knees buckling as that pleasurable sensation hit her.

He caught hold of her as she went limp. His arms round her waist. And then she felt them on her bare midriff. The heat emanating from his fingers burnt through her skin and a shiver ran down her spine.

He caressed her bare midriff, drawing slow patterns on it, exploring the soft white satin skin gently...worshipping almost...

She moaned her eyes half closed...

The kiss was slow... soft...gentle...until passion took over and they plunged into each other as if there was no tomorrow for it was not merely a kiss but an opening of one heart to another...

This is what he had wanted all these years. What he had never found with any other woman. This rightness, the feeling of being complete...

Last night was an eye opener for him. When he had heard Di scream he had thought he had lost her forever.

And the other person who mattered to him most...Khushi...could he afford to lose her...no...never!

As a young boy he had had this connection with her. That is why it had hurt him so when she had not been there for him when maa had left him forever...that is why he had not been able to forgive his childhood friend for so long...

Had he become dependent on her in some way?

He didn't know, he didn't care. He didn't want to analyse. All he knew was that he wanted Khushi in his life forever...

Her sweet fragrance filled him. Her heart pounded below his.

She slid her arms round his neck and pressed her soft mounds against his chest, letting go of the last iota of hesitation with a sigh.

He felt her hardened nipples through the silky material of his shirt and shivered.

She thought in a pink blur...there is something different in his touch today, something reassuring like Arnav and Khushi spoken in one breath...

And shuddered when with something close to reverence, he filled his palms with the firm, heavy, luscious weight of her breasts.

She died in that moment...

He was born anew...for he realized he wanted her in his life forever.

I am leaving you on this happy note with Arnav's acceptance of his love for her on a vacation with my family.I will return on 12th October, Sunday and try to post the next chapter that very day. Please excuse me till then. Love you all. Thank you.

Such a butiful updt atlast arnav realise his feeling for khushi arshi momnt was so blisful when akash meet his di enjy ur vacation hv a safe trip tanx for pm

very nice

fantastic update!! happy realisation arnav and lets see what he does to get khushi in his life forever.. well hope khushi have got answers to the questions for which she had come to RM.. felt bad for anjali as she is going through the pain of her husband's betrayal.. loved the update..

Awesome chappy! Enjoy ur vacation!

Awesome update. Lovely moment between arshi. Please keep Anjali strong woman. Waiting for u until back from holiday. Have a lovely holiday.

thank you for this lovely update and hope you have fun on your holiday

fantastic update, finally Arnav realized his love for Khushi, can't wait for your next update.