Part 1
Khushi felt like a cheat.Here she was at the ball with Payal going on another person's invitation card.The guard took the cards from Payal and nodded at them.
Payal grabbed Khushi's hand and rushed them inside.The girls were wearing masks like everybody else.The ballroom was mostly full of high class marriageable young ladies and their mothers.Very few fathers had come but there were almost as many males as females.The prince would also be wearing a mask.It wasn't as if Khushi was hoping to catch his eye or something but she was very curious to know what he looked like.
Payal nudged Khushi
"Stop looking so stiff.Relax and go dance with a handsome man""They all are wearing masks.How do I know which one is handsome?" Khushi teased.
"Duh,by his dancing.Every guy who can dance good is handsome"Khushi rolled her eyes
"Sure"**************************************
Arnav Singh Raizada was bored.Extremely bored.He was supposed to be looking for a bride.A future queen but he didn't think any of these flashy women were right.It was known the princes would find their true love in their balls.His ancestors all had.So had his parents.Would he be able to continue the tradition?
He could see greed in every woman that passed by.The greed to be queen.Arnav rolled his eyes.Oh joy.At this rate he was never going to find the right woman.
Arnav's eyes fell on a woman glaring at the man who was staring at her.Her body was stiff,probably from the irritation that the man wouldn't stop looking at her.Arnav wondered where her mother or father were.All ladies brought their parents with them wherever they went except,of course,after marriage.That would be the husband's job then.Arnav watched her confidently walk up to the man and loudly burped.He bit back a laugh as the lusty look on his face turned to a horrified one as he turned and went to look for another respectable and less loud burping lady.Maybe something was worth in this ball after all
**************************************
Khushi was getting irritated.Who the heck was this man who was staring at her.She wanted to go up to him and kick him where the sun didn't shine' but that would have probably made him howl with pain causing people to stare and she didn't want that.Saving her energy in her throat she walked up to him and smiled.He smirked.Khushi opened her mouth and let her energy out through a burp.She watched with satisfaction as he stared at her unladylike behaviour and fled.
She turned around back to the corner she had come from only to find a man standing in her way and staring at her.It wasn't really the same stare the other guy was giving her at her body.He was staring more intensely at her face but she didn't want to take any chances.She frowned.Again? She sighed and opened her mouth.The man held up his hand
"Don't even.It might have worked with that guy but not with me"She scowled at him
"Fine then"She raised her hand but he caught it
"Nope" he said.She raised her knee but he grabbed it and pushed it down on the floor
"That's also not going to work either" he said,his eyes full of amusement
"Relax woman! I have good intentions.Only want to talk" When she raised an eyebrow at him,he rolled his eyes
"You're never bound to find a suitor willing to marry you at this rate"She scowled
"How would you know I am not married?""Because every young woman here is trying to get their hands on the prince""Well what if I don't want him and just want to enjoy myself"He stared at her,his expression neutral.Khushi looked away and turned around.He grabbed her hand
"Wait""Sir you are misbehaving! Let go of me now""Where's your chaperone? Every woman brings one with her all the time"Khushi bit her lip
"Bathroom" she said meekly.
She was lying and Arnav knew it.It was written all over her face
"You are not a very good liar.You should stop trying""Look,this is none of your business.I can do whatever I want and you can't do a thing about it.You are not the boss of me"[B]
Arnav smirked.He really liked and enjoyed the confidence and pride she showed on herself [B]"Arnav"She looked confused
"What?""My name's Arnav""So?""What's yours?""None of your business""Would you like to see the garden""There's a garden?"Now he finally got her attention
"Yes.A very beautiful one at that"Khushi hesitated.Should she go with this stranger.He would escort her to the garden so surely there would be other people too,right.
**************************************
Aarav Singh Raizada watched his son take a lady outside with him to the garden and smiled.His wife,Sanjana,joined him and also watched.
She sighed
"They grow up so fast"Aarav nodded
"Do you think Arnav has finally found that perfect woman""I don't know.It's hard to figure out his expression from the mask he's wearing but I personally think he's smitten"**************************************
"It's so beautiful" Khushi whispered awed.Lights shone and light music played.She looked around and frowned
"Are we allowed here? It's deserted"Arnav looked around and nodded at her correct observation
"We are allowed.It's just people are too busy looking for the prince""Do you know what he looks like?"Arnav frowned
"Why do you ask?"Khushi shrugged
"Just curious""Would you like to dance?"Khushi hesitated
"Are you sure? I mean I'm not a very good dancer"Arnav smiled
"No problem.I'll lead" he held her waist with one hand and her hand in the other.Khushi put her hand on his shoulder
"So" Arnav started
"May I know your name now?"Khushi giggled
"My name's Khushi""Khushi.What a beautiful name.I personally think it suits you.So what did you like about the ball so far Khushi?""I love the atmosphere and the music.People look so happy""Probably not the men right?" he teased.
Khushi laughed "Only the staring and gawking type"
"So Khushi,tell me about yourself""Well I run a small business of making and selling gowns""A business" Arnav repeated
Khushi nodded
"We make and sell gowns"Arnav frowned
"You make gowns?" he confirmed.
Khushi bit her lip.She barely knew Arnav for an hour and here she was telling him about her personal life
"Um..I mean-""I don't like liars Khushi" he said sternly
"Invitations were only sent to upper class families.No upper class family allows their daughters to do any sort of business.I am friends with the royal family.I can get someone to do a background check on you.So it's best if you spill"Khushi sighed
"Okay fine but please don't tell anyone here" Arnav nodded
"Okay so here it is.I am a middle class girl who makes and sells gowns.The last customer I had hated this gown I am wearing.I left her house and went home.When I opened up my purse I found these invitation cards to this ball.Payal really wanted to come and I couldn't refuse her"Arnav nodded in understanding
"I see.Come with me" he pulled her behind him back into the palace and up the stairs.
Khushi gasped
"What are you doing? We can't go there""I'm friends with the royal family"Khushi scowled at him
"But I'm not""They won't mind.You're my guest" he pulled her into a room.Opening a drawer of a nightstand,he took out a card and gave it to her
"I'm holding another ball tomorrow.Please come"Khushi stared at him through wide eyes
"But why?""There's something about you I really like.I don't know what but I would like to see you again""And if I don't come?""I'll have guards sent after you""Bu-"
"Remember.No later than 7 PM"Khushi pouted
"Can Payal come?""Sure.Whatever" he took out another card and gave it to her
"As long as she stays away from us" he muttered.
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Edited by khushiforever - 10 years ago
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