Part 14
Khushi jumped waking up from her sleep,startled when she heard thunder crackle.She looked outside and saw the rain pounding hard against the window.She bit her lip and looked around.It was completely dark.Darkness was always her worst fear.Her room at home had dim lights on so if she ever woke up in the middle of the night she wouldn't be feeling what she was feeling now.Scared.Terrified.The booming thunder didn't help.Since she had never been in this sort of situation,she didn't know what to do.So she did what first came to mind.She screamed.
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"Khushi will you marry me?" Arnav asked in his softest,most gentlest voice.
He was down on one knee with a ring in his hand.Khushi stood in front of him in the beautiful dress he had bought for her a few years ago.Her face glowed with the help of the candles displayed around them in the beautiful night.
"Oh Arnav.Yes! I love you!" she jumped into his arms.
Arnav sighed as he wrapped his arms around her "I love you too" he mumbled against her hair.
The beautiful moment was suddenly broken by a loud feminine scream.Arnav looked around confused.Khushi looked at him and smiled.She patted his cheek "Wake up"
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Arnav groaned as he groggily opened his eyes in the middle of the night "Why oh why" he whined "Such a good dream only comes once in a lifetime" Arnav grabbed the pillow and covered his ears with it.He could still hear the scream loud and clear.Arnav gave up.He threw the pillow on the floor and stood up "That's it! You're going to pay!" he growled.
Arnav stomped off to the room the screams were coming from and tore the door open "Arnav?" he heard a whimper.Arnav's anger immediately disappeared.He completely forgot Khushi was staying the night "Arnav? Is that you?"
"It's me Khushi.What's wrong?" he softly asked.
"Arnav I am scared.It's so dark I can't even see you"
Arnav sighed turning the lights on "There"
Khushi pouted "The thunder Arnav"
A grin slowly spread on Arnav's face "Oh I see where this is going.Khushi you only needed to tell me.Why make up this drama" he teased.
Khushi looked at him confused "What do you mean?"
Arnav kneeled down on the bed,leaning towards Khushi "You only had to tell me Khushi that you wanted me to sleep with you" Khushi's mouth fell open.Arnav chuckled "Only sleep.That is unless-"
"NO!" Khushi interrupted rather loudly.
Arnav shrugged "Fine.If you didn't want to see a movie you didn't have to say no so loudly"
Khushi glared at him "What kind of husband are you? Who always teases his wife?"
"You make it too easy" he grinned widely.
"Get out" she ordered "I don't need you" she said stubbornly.
"Okay then.Good night"
Khushi bit her lip as she watched him take each step measured towards the door.Would it be so bad if she let Arnav sleep beside her? Would her Masked Man mind? It was only sleeping.She hoped he wouldn't mind.Arnav raised his hand to turn off the light but Khushi stopped him "Arnav,can you please" she hesitated "Sleep with me"
Arnav turned around and stared at her.He tried to suppress his smile and nodded tightly.Arnav turned off the lights.Khushi moved to the right letting Arnav occupy the left 'This is going to be interesting' he thought to himself.
Khushi felt the left side of the bed dip and gave a small sigh 'No need be afraid' she reminded herself 'Arnav's here now' The lights were turned off but strangely Khushi felt no fear.
She gasped when she felt strong arms wrap around her waist.She struggled to get away but no difference.Khushi was suddenly being dragged back against a hard solid body "Arnav!" she chided "What are you doing?"
"I always sleep while hugging something" he replied "It's always a pillow but I can manage with you"
"Why don't you sleep while hugging your pillow?"
"Then my head would be in an uncomfortable position"
Khushi made a face even though she knew he couldn't see "You don't happen to be making this up,right?"
"Maybe I am.Maybe I am not" he chuckled.Even though Arnav couldn't see her,he could imagine her glaring at him right now "Good night Khushi"
"Good night" she grumbled.
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The next morning Arnav was the first to awake.He smiled down at Khushi and reluctantly untangled himself from her.Khushi sure did move a lot at night but he didn't mind.He loved it.It was as if she was willing to touch him,be with him,and feel him.He loved her so much.He could have told her he was her Masked Man long ago but he didn't because he wants her to figure it out.
Arnav took a shower and dressed.He was all ready to face a new day within half an hour.Arnav took out his laptop and checked his emails when he suddenly remembered the previous night and especially Khushi's words.
I got a proposal yesterday afternoon when I went home
"A proposal" Arnav whispered.He stood up.
Khushi was beautiful,no doubt.Who wouldn't want her? The thing was he hoped it wasn't who he thought it was.Arnav took out his cell phone and called Aman "Aman.I need you to find out who Khushi Kumari Gupta was getting marriage proposals from in the past week.Make sure no man asks for her hand in the future.Do anything you have to,I don't care"
"The one that works as your personal assistant"
"Yeah"
"Yes sir"
"Good and make sure Khushi doesn't know she is being watched"
"Yes sir"
Arnav cut the call.He recalled the kiss they shared and sighed.He unknowingly licked his lips as if trying to taste her on him.Khushi was perfect.His thoughts were always surrounded around Khushi and filled with her.He sometimes wondered if he was even worthy enough for her.
Arnav turned towards the room Khushi was in.He glanced at the laptop 'Screw the emails' he thought as he turned the laptop off 'I have much better things to do'
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Khushi slowly opened her eyes to see a pair of caramel ones.She gasped "Arnav" Khushi sat up "What are you doing here?" she demanded.
"You are the one who invited me to your bedroom last night Khushi" he said smugly.
Khushi frowned "But what are you doing here now?"
He shrugged "My house my rules"
"Speaking of house,it's time for me to go home"
"Sure you don't want to stay any longer?"
Khushi squinted her eyes at him "Very"
"I'll drop you home"
Last night's events sprang into Khushi's head.She crossed her arms against her chest "No tricks?"
He raised his hands "No tricks"
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As said Arnav dropped her home safe and sound and left.Khushi's parents still hadn't come from the wedding.Someone knocked on the door.Khushi opened it "Khushi Kumari Gupta?" the man confirmed.Khushi nodded "For you"
He gave her a box of chocolates with a note.Khushi read the note.
Dear Beloved Khushi,
Today's a Sunday meaning you don't have to go to work today.I miss you and want to meet you.I will be waiting for you at Holly Park.
Your Masked Man
"Masked Man" Khushi pressed the letter against her chest with a shy smile adorning her face.
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Khushi reached Holly Park within 15 minutes.She looked around searching for the man her heart desired.A tap on her shoulder broke her concentration.Khushi turned around and gasped.There stood her Masked Man.With that same old mask.Khushi leaped into his arms without a doubt.He chuckled wrapping his arms around her.
Khushi went still as she looked over the facts.That chuckle.Those caramel eyes.The same height.Khushi broke the hug and looked at him "Arnav?"
He stilled "What did you just say?"
"Take that mask off! Right now!" she commanded.
"Um" he bit his lip.
"Khushi" another male called out to Khushi.Khushi turned around.It was Angad.Khushi turned around again to face her Masked Man but he had suddenly gone missing.Angad grabbed Khushi's arm "You are coming with me"
"What!"
Khushi struggled but Angad was strong.He pushed a cloth over her nose and mouth.It smelled funny.Only when Khushi began feeling faint then she realized it was chloroform.Then everything went black.
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