Arshi FF #5: THE SEED OF PASSION, Chapters 34 to 44 - Page 14

Hey friends⭐️

Thanks to your encouragement, I just took off in this chapter!😃 Fly with me! Why wait!😃 Or maybe...wait a wee bit to stay grounded! 😛

Chapter 36

Why wait!

Arnav became taut as Khushi deepened the kiss and arched her body into his. "Khushi..." he groaned in pleasure, allowing her to do as she pleased. Her lips were sweet and moist, her body soft and pliant and she smelt of roses...

The setting sun suddenly flooded them with its orange glow and Arnav caught his breath as Khushi's beautiful hazel eyes flickered open, and caught the sun's reflection...

Arnav stood still in a timelesss moment, intoxicated, mesmerized by its beauty.

Khuhi smiled self consciously at him. She felt giddy when he looked at her like that...

She licked her lips unconsciously. Had she really kissed him! Hey Devi Maiyya! Even he was taken by surprise, she smiled at the thought, and glancing at him from under her eyelashes moved away from him so that their bodies were not touching any more.

He suddenly felt deprived of the warm currents that were rushing up and down his limbs. And in the next moment he jerked her back against the length of him. And cupping her face kissed her hard and deep.

"Oh my sweet Khushi..." Arnav murmured against her lips, "I want to ..."

Arnav laced his fingers in her hair and pulled gently, freeing her thick long soft black strands from the plait that had austered them, till they fell loose, a thick long curtain down to her slim waist, flowing into his face in the gentle breeze that wafted in through the open terrace.

A soft smile playing on his lips he tucked the wisps behind her ears and with his and with gentle fingers traced the path of her long tresses... from her head, the nape of her neck, the small of her back and finally rested on her waist ...caressing it it slow circular motions, moving surreptiously to her hips...drawing her closer...his eyes darkening with untold desires...

A sensation of unadulterated pleasure rushed through her veins and her eyes mirrored her willingness...

Arnav groaned and in one lithe movement lifted her up in his arms and started walking with determined steps towards a large room at the other end.

It was so sudden. Khushi clung on to the lapel of his shirt her heart beating fast against her chest...dhak dhak dhak...

Her mind in a disarray...she closed her eyes snuggling closer to his well toned warmth oozing through his shirt...where was he taking her...

It was only when she felt soft linen under her, did her eyes snap open!

As he laid her gently on his bed his eyes bored into her, questioning her.

Khushi's lips trembled and she hid her face in the crook of his neck her heart thudding in her ears.

Arnav nuzzled her hair and sighed in satisfaction. By bringing her to his new office and his apartment with all the latent memories of their childhood, he had shared with her his most private space...

And now there was no holding back for him. She was the only woman he had felt so close to. And he wanted her...all of her...it was impossible for him to stay away from her...and why should he!

"This is what I want Khushi..." his voice was husky against her ear.

She instinctively understood what he meant, the lengths he wanted to go to...her heart had known all along...

But this was sudden...this couldn't be happening ...

But it was...she shivered...

Her soft body trembling against his hard one she whispered,

"I can't...can't...Arnav..."

... although all she wanted was to melt herself into him as the molten sun had melted into the horizon.

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Anjali held her head between her hands and sobbed silently.

Beads of perspiration forming on his brow. Aman said in a voice laced with concern,

"Anjali ji...please don't...everything will be alright believe me!"

But there was no response from Anjali.

What have I done, Aman cursed himself! I should have known that she is not prepared to hear the truth about her husband! Anyway I should have let ASR deal with this delicate situation! He naturally knew how to handle his Di ! Why did I take this responsibility on myself! Why was I in a hurry to show Shyam Jha in a bad light!

Suddenly Anjali swooned and slumped in her chair at an awkward angle!

The table rocked and the two white tea cups crashed on the sparkling beige floor of the caf!

"Oh my God! Anjali ji!" Aman shrieked in panic and lunged forward to prevent her from slipping off her seat!

Aman held on to the unconscious Anjali tightly and shouted at the gawking boys at the counter, "Call the ambulance, at once!"

"Yes, yes sir!" one of the younger boys startled into action.

Aman looked around the caf. They were thankfully alone, a couple having left a few minutes ago. Arnav Singh Raizada's sister in the arms of his trusted employee would certainly make it to page 3 news if nothing else!

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Khushi never knew what Arnav felt when she said I can't ' to him, because his phone rang almost immediately breaking the tenseness of the moment. Whatever he heard on the other end made him spring up from the bed and scream into the phone, "What the Aman! Don't leave her side for a moment! I am coming to the hospital immediately!"

"Hospital!" Khushi exclaimed shocked. "Arnav who...?"

But before she could finish the sentence he grabbed her hand and pulled her off his bed and she found herself running after him out of the apartment.

"Its Di..." he whispered as they entered the lift and ran his fingers through his thick hair, his eyes bloodshot!

"Hey Devi Maiyya!" tears welled up in Khushi's eyes. "She will be fine Arnav, I know, I have full faith in Devi Maiyya..."

Arnav just pursed his lips and scowled but his grip on her hand did not loosen.

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"You should have been more careful young man, after all your wife is pregnant," the doctor patted Aman on his shoulder.

Pregnant! Wife! Aman stared at the doctor!

"No...no...actually..." Aman was at a loss of words.

"It is alright mister, these symptons are common. Both mother and child are fine! Just take care of them!"

"I will..." he mumbled and entered Anjali's cabin.

She had been given an injection and had regained her consciousness but all colour had drained off her face and she looked pale and frail.

Aman was consumed by guilt. He approached her slowly and apologised, "Please, please forgive me Anjal ji...if something had happened to you or... your child...I would not have been able to forgive myself ever..."

A lonely tear rolled down Anjali's cheeks but she quickly wiped it away and said in an emotionless voice, "I am glad you told me all you knew about Shyamji...Shyam... I somewhat suspected that he was passing information about Chhotey and Aakash to Ajit chacha and Dadi but..."

"Please Anjali ji let us not talk about all this now," Aman pleaded.

But Anjali continued as if she hadn't heard him...

" When the car mechanic unwittingly told me that someone inside the house must have tampered with the brakes of Arnav's SUV, I could not ignore the uncanny feeling that Shyam was behind it! Perhaps, a woman's instinct...At the back of my mind his tours to Lucknow seemed unnecessary and smelt of another woman..." Anjali sniffed but did not stop...

"I just chose to ignore all the signs! Oh what a fool I was!" she cried.

"Oh Anjali ji," Aman said in a strangled voice, "I spoilt everything for you...I promise I will set it right!"

"You did not spoil anything Aman, you just helped me see the truth, all of it, I doubt if even Chhotey would have done that! And I want to thank you for it..." she looked straight into his eyes and smiled before the effect of the injection took over and she drifted into a disturbed slumber.

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Shyam Manohar Jha rubbed his hands in glee as the plane landed on the tarmac of Stockholm Arlanda airport. He still could not believe his luck! Things were looking up for him!

He had been scared that Arnav would find out about his link with Dadi, and maybe also about Sheela...and would throw him out of his house!

But his saale sahib was obviously not as smart as the world thought! He Shyam Manohar Jha was way smarter! And now that his saale sahib had sent him to Stockholm, he would use this golden opportunity to take over his new company AK by hook or by crook!

He had taken a small step towards the Customs Green Channel when he was accosted by a burly man in a uniform.

"Please step aside, Mr. Jha and take the Red Channel," the Swedish airport official said in a clipped cold tone. "We need to check you thoroughly and this may take some time."

Shyam could not believe his ears! What in God's name was this man saying! "Why? What do you mean?" Shyam asked squinting his eyes angrily.

"I mean we have received a tip that the Swedish currency you are carrying with you is counterfeit."

Shyam roared, "But the money was given to me by my brother in law, Arnav Singh Raizada! Do you know who he is? He has 49% stake in the biggest company in your country. He will throw you to the dogs, he will..."

"We have already spoken to respected ASR, Mr. Jha. He has no objection if the law takes its own course..." the man smirked.

As the man dragged him aside, Shyam spluttered nervously, " I...I... don't understand..."

"Hand over the Swedish kroners, Mr. Jha," the official's blue eyes were cold, his tone brusque.

Shyam reached within his jacket pocket and with trembling hands handed over the envelope that Arnav had given him.

The official studied the fat wad of notes painstakingly, one by one, with a small instrument for half an hour while Shyam grew jittery by the second.

Finally the official pronounced in a steely voice, "You have been found in possession of fake currency Mr. Jha and therefore I arrest you in the name of the law! You will be taken to prison immediately!"

Shyam felt as if the entire world had crashed on his head! He had underestimated the prowess of Arnav Singh Raizada! He shivered uncontrollably as a wetness creeped down his pants!

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Anjali regained consciousness to a soft pair of hands stroking her hair gently. She opened her eyes drowsily and looked up into the anxious hazel eyes of Khushi.

"Anjali ji are you okay?" she whispered.

"I am fine Khushi," she said looking around slowly as her head felt heavy. She was in her room in Raizada Mansion.

Khushi closed her eyes and raised her hands in prayer, "Thank you very much Devi Maiyya!"

Anjali smiled slightly at Khushi but abruptly her expression changed to terror, "My rajkumari..." Anjali's hand went to her womb and her lips trembled.

"She is fine Anjali ji, "Khushi smiled reassuringly.

"No harm has come to the little one Anjali ji," Payal smiled taking the glass of milk from Hari Prakash's hands, and walking up to her bedside.

"We were all so happy to hear about the good news," Khushi clapped her hands in joy,"Now drink up the milk like a good girl Anjali di!"

Payal helped Khushi prop Anjali up on the pillows and held the glass of milk to her lips.

"Hey girls, what are you doing?" Aakash asked the Gupta sisters walking into the room. "Preaparing my Jhaansi ki Rani for the next battle?!" he winked at Anjali but his huge grin could not conceal the concern in his eyes.

He hugged Anjali affectionately and said, "I can't believe I am going to be a Mama (maternal uncle)..."

Anjali said dreamily touching her stomach gingerly, " It was a secret Aakash, only Chhotey knew. I wanted to tell this news to my rajkumari's father first..."

Anjali stopped suddenly as reality hit her. Her husband, her rajkumari's father had betrayed her...

A sob rose deep within her chest ! And she closed her eyes only to find herself enveloped by two strong pair of hands.

"No Di, no more tears!" Arnav said his voice determined.

Anjali nodded her head as she hugged her Chhotey in relief and pain.

Then drawing away from him she caressed his cheek and said softly, "Chhotey will you promise me something...?"

"Yes Di..." Arnav kissed her palm.

Anjali sighed, and said in a broken voice, "While I was in hospital, I wondered about life... we don't know when life will betray us in the guise of a loved one... we don't know when and how it will be snatched away from us... it exists in every moment...so before it is too late..." Anjali faltered as others looked on.

"What do you want Di...just tell me and it will be done..." Arnav looked deep into his Di's troubled eyes.

"Then take me to Nani..." Anjali said in a whisper.

There was pindrop silence in the room as everyone waited with bated breath for Arnav's answer.

It seemed ages before Arnav said in a hoarse voice, "If it is so important to you, it will be done Di!"

A sense of peace fell on Anjali as she hugged him and whispered "Thank you my dear Chhotey, thank you so much!"

Khushi and Payal looked at each other and smiled happily, while Hari Prakash beamed.

Aakash staggered in disbelief and delight! Bhai had finally agreed to meet Nani! Yay! He almost jumped with joy! Today was the best day of his life! Earlier he had a wonderful time with Payal in the mall, selecting sarees for his mother. When bhai called him to tell him that Di was in hospital he had been terribly worried. But every cloud had a silver lining...

"Hold on to your horses," Arnav glared at them, "Before we leave for Nani's I have to go to Stockholm for a few days. It is very urgent!"

"Really Chhotey! I was thinking of celebrating this Holi with Nani! Can't this urgent matter wait!" Anjali made a grumpy face.

"No Di, the matter has to be dealt with immediately!" Arnav shook his head gravely.

He had just confirmed the news of Shyam's arrest in Stockholm! It was now time for him to put the rest of his plan in action!

So Arnav announced. "In fact I might have to leave tomorrow evening." Looking pointedly at Anjali he raised his eyebrow, "Meanwhile Di I want you to regain your strength fully. Okay?"

And then turning to Aakash he said in a matter of fact manner, "Aakash while I am away Di will be your responsibility."

" A responsibility I will gladly accept bhai," Aakash said proudly. He was over the moon that bhai had thought him worth taking his place in his absence! And once bhai returned they would all go to Kolkata together he thought happily!

Arnav was about to leave her side when Anjali gripped his wrist and said, "Uh...one more thing Chhotey..."

Arnav rolled his eyes. "Some people" he said in mock anger, "give them an inch and they will take a yard!"

Anjali slapped his hand playfully and smiled indulgently, "Chhotey I hope you haven't said anything harsh to Aman. He was just trying his level best to help me to see the truth and I am really really glad he did..."

Arnav gritted his teeth. "With you lying there on the hospital bed Di, I had forgotten everything , leave alone yell at Aman! But now that you remind me I must have a talk with him soon! What the! His behaviour is becoming very peculiar, and most un Aman like! Wonder what bug has bitten him!"

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"Khushi have you put all the three files in my luggage?" Arnav asked Khushi as driver Mohan took the road to the airport.

"Hmm.." Khushi replied avoiding looking at him though it was difficult as he was sprawled besides her in the back seat, his legs almost touching her.

Khushi saw that the air conditioner of the car was at full blast but his proximity was making her hot and nervous. She wrung her fingers in nervousness and stammered,

"I...I... have... also kept...uh hum... your medicines Arnav, like Anjali di asked me to. I hope I have not forgotten to pack anything else in your suitcase," she chewed her lower lip thoughtfully.

Arnav glanced at her and looked away quickly, his pulse quickening! Dammit! Why did she have to bite her lips like that! Maybe it was not such a good idea to suggest to Di that Khushi should pack his suitcase for the trip to Stockholm. He just wanted to be round her, to find out if she was mad at him for wanting to make love to her at his new office apartment...

He sighed! He knew it was stupid of him to rush her like that! But he wanted her and he needed to show her how much he cared...

Moreover, he seemed to be losing control over himself where she was concerned. Just like he was now! What the!

He just needed some rubbish excuse to haul her in his arms right now and passionately devour those luscious pink lips she so insisted on chewing!

"Dammit!" he muttered, trying to concentrate on the road instead of stealing glances at her.

Khushi looked at Arnav from the corner of her eyes. Laad Governor! Why is he flaring his nostrils and muttering incoherently! He must be really furious with me, for saying no' to him she thought biting her lower lip! I did not really mean to reject his advances.

He hasn't spoken a word about what happened between us yesterday! I wuldn't mind at all if he is furious with me, but this silence is so disconcerting! How can he be so indifferent Devi Maiyya!

The car stopped in front of the airport gate. A lump formed in her throat, tears stung her eyes, he will be gone soon her heart cried. She dared not look at him.

Arnav stared at her! What the! She is not even looking at me he winced! If she finds me so disgusting why did she come with me to the airport, he scowled in a sudden burst of anger as Mohan lifted his luggage out of the car and opened the door for him.

The sun was a molten ball in the horizon, washing her in strange golden glow, making her look ethereal, reminding him of their close moments in the apartment...

To his surprise his eyes moistened! What the! He quickly put on his shades and jumped out of the car. Her face was still turned away.

A silent storm raged inside Arnav "Bye Khushi..." is all he could manage before turning on his heels and walking briskly inside the airport gates.

Khushi's lips quivered. She felt her heart would die with pain...and love for him...

"Hey I think I forgot something..." his voice startled her.

Her heart leapt with joy to see his handsome face peering at her from the window.

"What?" she leaned across. Hey Devi Maiyya had he forgotten his passport or something...

"This!" he whispered and cupped her face and kissed her hard on her lips before releasing her and walking away with a lopsided smile. Mohan gaped at them, his mouth open.

A thousand rosebuds bloomed in Khushi's heart as she smiled at his retreating figure...

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Hope you enjoyed the update dear friends!😃 Thanks for reading, liking and commenting in advance and supporting me hamesha!😃 Next chapter, among other things, let me fix Arshi up on a Holi date at Nani's...what say! 😉