Twenty- four hours since the wedding took place. Guests from around the city departed, wishing the bride and groom, a good marriage. The chaos eased into a silent clean up.
Due to the insanity, the Razaida family offered the Guptas to stay behind for the night. Oddly enough it was the Rakshas who suggested the idea.
Lately that's all he have been doing. Acting unlike his usual character. Khushi was almost convinced a spirit was possessing his body. But she didn't want to do anything stupid like last time- the black magic incident. What an embarrassment.
After 20 minutes of arguing, the Gupta's finally agreed to stay. Each of them were offered a guest room.
For the first time in her life, Khushi decided to sleep alone, even though Buaji offered to stay with her. In a way she was facing her fear of the dark. She knew the time was now to face it. Once Payal got married, Khushi already awaited the dreadful nights. Part of her also knew why she bravely accepted to overcome this traumatizing emotion. No matter how much she tried to deny the fact, she couldn't.
He was here. Simple as that. His mere presence made her feel safe. Ironic in a way when she thought back to their previous encounters. Yet somehow she couldn't help herself. This spawn of Satan made her feel safe, and she knew, if something was to happen, he'd be the first person to come running- like he always has. The cause to her pain and also the healer.
When Anjaliji, guided her to the guest-room upstairs, he objected immediately. Everyone was stunned for a second. He suggested it was best that she stayed down stairs, in the guest room, in front of his bedroom- the same one Lavanya used to sleep in. The same room, which had a window overlooking his room.
She felt his gaze lingering on her, probably waiting for her to say no, but the words did not form. Simply, she nodded, and as did Anjaliji. Sort of shocking, since Anjaliji always asked questions.
So here she was in an alien bedroom, alone- kind of- trying to make herself comfortable. The thought of knowing that his bed-room was her view, immensely bothered her. Temptations were killing her. All she wanted to do was draw away the curtains, and peep into his haven of black and white.
Rubbing her tired eyes, Khushi fluffed her pillow for the third time. Uneasiness was settling in the pit of her stomach, which she could not pin point. She blamed it on the fear of the darkness, but she knew better. The battle within her was raging. Squeezing her eyes shut, Khushi counted to three. She hoped by then it would be morning and this insanity would be over. Unfortunately, time didn't work according to her wishes.
Re-opening her eyes, Khushi stared up at the ceiling. God, this was so difficult. She turned to her side, tucking her hand underneath the blanket. The view of the cream curtains only made her much more tempted.
Flinging the blanket away, Khushi stood up, frustrated with herself. Pacing, back and forth, she argued with herself. This was an absolute horror! It was just a curtain. Maybe she needed some moonlight to stream through so she could get some light in the room! Yeah! There we go. That was a perfect reason to open the curtains.
Satisfied with her pathetic reason, she stepped forward towards the curtains. Shivering hands, grasped the material, and slowly, very slowly, she drew it apart. Thankfully moonlight did stream through the glass, however what she saw next sent shivers down her back. Stunned at the sight in front of her, she back peddled, embarrassed and shocked.
''Hai Devi Maiyya,'' she whispered, mentally slapping herself.
Hyperventilation began to kick in. It was almost ridiculous at how much she was reacting, but she just didn't imagine, he'd be there. Yes, that's right- the great Laad Governor was standing in by the french doors, staring longingly at her window.
Even though she was overreacting, his calm posture did not falter. In fact, he almost seemed amused. Mischief laced in his orbs, with a hint of desire. Khushi gulped at the thought. Butterflies were beginning to hatch inside her stomach. Oh how she wished there was a way to digest them!
What was this man doing to her!
Quickly she closed the curtains. Backing away, she placed her palm on her chest, breathing in and out, hoping to calm down her heart-beats. She walked back to the bed, and climbed in, tucking herself with the blanket.
Stupidly enough, she hoped the blanket would protect her from the unwanted emotions, she always felt, when he was around.
Stupid, stupid, laad governor!
Forcefully once more she closed her eyes again, praying to fall asleep. But soon enough the sound of clicking caught her attention.
Frightened, she sat up straight, grasping the blanket closer to her chest, eyeing the door. The door knob was slowly turning. Fear spread through her body. Many thoughts swarm across her mind. She was going to die. This was it. Her young life was going to be over at the age of 23.
Sounds of creaking filled the air, and soon the door opened- not fully, but slightly- enough room for the intruder to creep inside.
''Please!'', Khushi pleaded. ''If you're going to kill me could you please just shoot me. I don't want to suffer and die!''
'' Khushi are you mad?!'', the intruder asked, whispering back.
''Hai Devi Maiyya! You know my name! How do you know my name!'', Khushi demanded.
Before she could get annoyed at his silence, she found him standing at the side of her bed. Her mouth opened to shriek, but a large palm silenced, blocking any kind of sound.
''What the! Khushi would you calm down! Nobody is here to kill you, dammit! It's me. Arnav.''
The revelation did not make her heart beat calmer, in fact she found the blood pumping even faster. Dear god, what was he doing in her bedroom! Slapping away his palm, Khushi got up to her feet, almost pushing him back.
''Khushi!'', he barked.
''Don't you 'Khushi' me!,'' She loud whispered. ''You almost gave me a heart attack!''
He stepped forward.
She stepped back.
Fists clenched at his closeness. Overwhelming heat diffused from his body to her own, causing the air to be thicker than it actually seemed.
''Are you sleeping alright?'', he asked, concern laced in his tone.
Taken back at the question, Khushi blinked a couple of times. ''Uhm... well i was trying to until you-''
''Yeah, I saw how you were trying to earlier.'' He stated sarcastically, cutting her off.
Khushi narrowed her eyes. ''Well, excuse me for trying to get some light in here! What were you doing staring at my window!''
Lips curving into a small smile, he stepped forward again. She stumbled, her back hitting the wall. His arms raised, blocking her in between.
Leaning closer, he arched his eyebrow, still smirking with amusement. ''Quite simple Khushi. I was making sure the big bad wolf wasn't coming to get you. Had to keep an eye on you. See, it's not that hard to tell the truth. Now why don't you tell me the truth.''
The tips of her fingers clutched the hem of her night wear. Lips quivering with anxiety, Khushi prayed internally for the goddess to stop her body from any showing signs of nervousness. But alas, there was no support from any goddess tonight. She was screwed. And his intense, mischievous gaze wasn't helping the situation.
''I am telling the truth!,' she croaked. ''At least I am in my room!,' she bravely continued. ''What are you doing here! Scaring girls at night! What kind of becharam is this! If there was any big bad wolf, it's YOU.''
Arnav leaned back, a chuckle escaping his lips. But then his eyes softened. ''I knew you were going to have a hard time... That's why I wanted you to sleep next to me so if you were screaming or anything I could come running... I had a feeling you weren't sleeping so that's why I was watching your window, knowing very well you were going to open those curtains.''
This is what she meant earlier. Deep down she knew he would keep her safe. Even though majority of the time it was he who gave her the heart attacks. His confession should have calmed down her heart beats, but of course it increased even further. This man was worse than a maze!
Khushi stood up straight. She looked anywhere but his eyes. ''I am fine,'' she said, hoping her voice came out confident. ''And anyways, I have to get used to sleeping alone. You can't come running when I go back home.''
''But I can'', he said, voice dropping to a whisper.
The simple statement sent rippling shivers down her back. ''Why?'', she found herself whispering back. '
'You can stay here...''
''Stay here? In the Razaida house? Arnavji, are you mad? I can't just stay here. That's weird.''
''Well.. it won't be weird if you married me.''
Now there were many ways to explain how she felt when his lips said the most shocking words, he has ever uttered to her. However, Khushi decided the only way to explain her emotions were by involving the sea. The connection makes sense since his name actually means ''Ocean''
Imagine walking down a beach. Salty air brushing against your body, toes drowning in the warm sand. Then you decide to edge a bit a closer to the shore to dip your feet in the gentle waves, crashing to the land. Suddenly, this enormous wave comes slamming down. Before you could even blink, the water swallows you completely, pushing you right to the ground. So now you're all wet, shocked, and frozen on the spot- trying to fathom what the hell just happened.
''Are- y-ou ma-d?!'', Khushi stuttered.
''You're right. This isn't the time to talk about it. You need to get some sleep. We have tomorrow.''
''Arnavji!''
''What? It's really late. We should get some sleep.''
She couldn't believe this man.
''Arnavji, are you okay?,'' she asked, concerned. ''Lately you haven't been acting like yourself. These gestures, the things you say. They don't sound normal. Did someone do something to you?''
''No Khushi, I am fine'', he replied, yet again his expression softening. Almost as if he was laughing to himself at her question.
Annoyance bubbled at the pit of her stomach. ''Then why are you acting like this! All these days you have left me baffled with your actions! This isn't the man I met an year ago. And now you barge in saying such... things... Something has happened to you, Arnavji! And I think it is very serious.''
Arnav sighed. ''Khushi, if you're not going to sleep, I am.'' Pushing past her, he walked over to the left side of the bed, and climbed in, making himself comfortable under the blanket.
Utterly speechless, Khushi's jaw dropped, whilst her eyes bugged out. For a few seconds she remained silent, staring at this bipolar man, who was now comfortably lying down on her bed like nothing was wrong.
''What... what are you doing!,'' finally she managed to spit out.
He shrugged. ''I am sleeping, which you should too.''
''... YOU'RE SLEEPING IN MY BED!''
''Well technically this is my bed since this is my house and you're sleeping in my guest room.. so... ''
The nerve of this man! Khushi was getting real tired of his confusing games. Fists tightly clenched, she closed her eyes and counted to five. Part of her felt as if the roles were reversed. He was calm and collected, whilst she was losing her temper.
''Mr. Arnav Singh Razaida, if you don't get out of this bed right now, I am going to scream the whole house down!''
''Okay Khushi. You do that. I am off to sleep. Good night.''
Pulling the blanket over himself properly, he closed his eyes, letting out a peaceful sigh.
A growl almost slipped through her lips when she realized that there was nothing she could really do. He knew that she didn't have the guts to actually scream down the house this late at night. And even though she hated- no- detested- to admit, she was kind of glad that he was here. The pressure of closing her eyes in the dark seemed less scary with someone around.
To society this would be a scandal if the word got around that she slept with a man unmarried. Yet something within her snapped. Gazing around her surroundings- the peaceful night, with the illuminating moonlight streaming through the windows, Khushi realized she didn't care.
This infuriating man made her feel safe, and plenty of other things she wasn't willing to deal with tonight.
Calculating her decisions carefully, Khushi finally came to a conclusion. Without another sound, she quietly crept underneath the blanket next to him. The warmth from his body engulfed her immediately.
Her back facing him, Khushi squeezed her eyes shut. She sensed shuffling, and suddenly an arm carefully wrapped around her body, cautiously, as if he was asking her whether this was okay. Usually she would have argued, but for today, she laced his fingers with her own, assuring him that it was fine.
Eventually their eyes drooped to a peaceful slumber. Although as the night passed by, she swore, she sensed a pair of lips kissing her hair, whispering a ''good night, Khushi.''
***
I dont know. Started writing and ended up here. Probably repeated plenty of words. Made grammar mistakes and spelling. Probably the plot made no sense. But I wrote it and posted it because I just did so.
Enjoy...?
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