Part 31Dedicated to all August Bday Girls...Especially Mahua and Palak :)Feeling her inexperienced soft lips, moving on his rough ones gave him a huge shock. Is she really doing it? Has she really said it? Were his thoughts in trance but then, Arohi tilted her face a bit and took hold of his lower lip. His no response was making it harder for her to go on while standing on her toes. She needed support of his arms and when she was ready to part away feeling a bit disappointed, his hands found their way around her sleek waist. His lips parted and moved in a slow rhythm before his one hand held her nape and the action got furious. "Arjun..." She moaned against his lips that encouraged him more to cherish her. Pushing her against his desk, the kiss felt the high and lows of his passion before he parted away feeling her push. She was feeling out of breathe. Letting her get stable, he waited but so not let her part away from him. Wrapping his arms around her, he stood silent till Arohi looked up at him with shinning shy filled eyes. As if he was waiting for it, he cupped her face with a hand and whispered. "Say it again...Please..." And Arohi was more than willing to let go of all her inhabitants for now. He surly had waited enough for her acceptance, for her confession and she wasn't going to make him suffer any longer. "I love you Arjun..." Her fingers traced his chest up slowly till she was holding his collar. The teasy moment and her words made him smile bright. "I love you too Arohi...So so much" He whispered only to get into a warm hug by her. "I know..." She replied while looking at the ring that was shining in her finger. A bow. A knot. A promise for life.
After standing too long in a warm hug, letting each other feel the security of their presence, they withdrew. Arohi looked up at him with a a smile that she tried to hide by biting her lower lip but then, the happiness of her was reflecting on his face too. "Come..." Holding her hand softly in his own, he led her to the two seater that was placed in his office. Making her sit comfortably, he gave her a precise look before falling down next to her and leaned back with closed eyes. Arohi played with her fingers for a minute before from under her lashes, she looked at Arjun to see him looking so at peace. Closed eyes, a hint of satisfied smile on his lips, relaxed. She herself felt an inner peace seeing him like this but then, he took her by surprise by holding her hand while sitting in that same posture. "You made me wait so long Arohi" And the sigh at the end, proved that finally he had found his destination. Arohi pursed her lips before entwining his fingers with her own letting him feel each brush of her finger with his. "It took me a long time indeed Arjun...but now, once I am in it...Comfortable in this relation...I promise, I am in it for forever". And he exhales his breath with a sound. The silence prevails again before he questioned. "Is it because of..." But Arohi didn't let him complete and turned her body to look straight into him. She pulled his held hand to make him open his eyes. "I am confessing not because of anyone Arjun...I am here today just cause of you...just cause I wanted to be with you...I WANT US" She emphasized making him get a grin that widened with each passing moment. Opening his arm, he pulled her close by her shoulder as now she was leaning against his shoulder. Feeling her close was all what confirmed him of situation's reality. Gripping his coat, she took a deep breath inhaling His smell. Gosh! He himself is an addiction she was getting used to. "So...You were investigating my wardrobe?" He accused playfully only to see her looking up instantly, with a raised brow. For a moment, she felt her heart dipped. She wanted to know if he is feeling offended by her act. Living too long under the scrutinized eyes of others where she was questioned for her each action, she was still a bit reserved. Though over the months, with his love and support, Arjun and Rashi did have let the same old Arohi emerge out from her but still, a little fear was instilled in her roots. "I...I am sorry" She mumbled down casting her eyes. Feeling her moving a bit back, his hands instantly pulled her strongly, making her almost fall on him. Next, his fingers held her chin up. "Look at me" He pleaded seeing the tremble of her lips but none the less, she looked up. "You have the right over everything that belongs to me... Either it's my home or something in my home...You have all the rights over me Arohi" He ensured and the honesty in his eyes proved his words. "I actually loved to know that you went ahead and looked into my wardrobe with an authority...To me, it proved that you consider me your own ...But the question now arise is *PAUSE*'''' do I have the same rights over you?" Arohi was stunned with his question. He had let his vulnerability displayed out in open infront of her and for once, she wanted to be the reason of his strength. Moving up, she placed a confident kiss on the side of his jaw before whispering. "I am yours Arjun...For now and forever" and that sealed the topic.
"I am famish..." Arohi whispered sometime later, getting out from his hold and patting her growling stomach. "Cause of you, I couldn't even eat anything" She blamed him cutely, making him smile. "Ok...my bad...let's go out somewhere to eat" He offered getting up but she didn't budge and instead was looking at the clock which was striking 4. "Arohi" "No, call someone to deliver food...you have a meeting at 5 and going out will definitely take too much time." She argued sensibly, making him chuckle. "Wow...so finally, you have started to think logically..." He raised his brow only to see her frown. "Don't worry about the meeting...I will ask Aryan to handle it...Let's go" He prompted only to see her now standing up with hands on her waist. "As you stated, now when I have started to think logically...I think you are losing your senses...If you remember right Mr Arjun Punj...Aryan has to look into cleaning of his apartment today and beside this, he has a very pregnant wife who needs his attention...besides, I never ever want you to neglect your business because of me...So order a takeout and then, as a professional handle the meeting...I am not running away anymore" She ended the last line in the softest of her tone, assuring him. But that statement made her landed firmly into his arms, plush against his body, making her eyes popped out. "As if now, I will let you run away..." His naughtiness was back in action. "No matter how far you will go, I will be following you till the end of the world Arohi". Arohi's heart thud violently hearing his ever so melodious romantic voice and before it could explode, she pushed him away. "Go and call...otherwise I will die of hunger" Enjoying her emotions, he stood back and noticed her flushed cheeks before moving away and call his secretary to order the food.
Arohi stood behind the glass window of his cabin, looking outside at the rushing world around but still she felt at peace. His presence beside her, made her feel calm. "What are you thinking?" He questioned seeing her lost. "Nothing...just looking at the view" She explained crossing her hands over her chest and leaning her head on the wall. Arjun too stood on the opposite end of the window beside her and looked out. Silence prevailed but not the awkwardness. "Would you have taken this much time to accept someone if you had married Abhinav or Aryan?" The out from blue question made her look sharply at him but he didn't look back, giving her time to think on her own, without caring for his reaction. It was his thoughts, fears that he wanted to sort out today completely and Arohi for the first time realized, how hard it was for him to wait. Hasn't she also been through this same state? Doing things, working day and night just to get one look of love, one appreciation from others. Pursing her lips, she thought about his question for few minutes before her voice cut through the silence. "Probably not..." "May be I would have given up long back" And with those words, she saw wrinkles taking place on his forehead. But now, even she was surprised to see herself attuned with his emotions. She knew he was feeling hurt and a kind of jealousy... So moving close, she put her hand on his shoulder, making him look at herself. "I didn't had any expectations from them Arjun...I had expectations from you...It's easy to fall for a stranger whom you don't know then to love a man who has been always your friend and you never looked at him in that light. There are many fears involve in such relation and the biggest of it is that you will lost your friendship" She explained before moving ahead and wrapping her hands around his neck, leaned into him. "When you came back in my life, I was happy that atleast I once again have people who love me but the way this marriage took place, it made me believe that No, People do use you for their own benefit" Arjun heard her each word silently. His hands were by his side not ready to hold her yet, letting her go on with her thoughts. "Then along with time, you started to put back all those pieces of my broken self which I thought were long lost and shattered...Truth of grandpa, getting Ma's dream business back in my life...Making me independent...building up my self-confidence...motivating me to fulfill my dreams...helping me wherever needed...hearing me out in anger and consoling me in my weak days...you have been there all through to push me up in life..."*Pause* "Your eyes were just for me...looking out for me...protecting me and then one day, when you were busy in your work...I realized that I miss that gaze..." He looked down instantly only to see her lost in her own world with closed eyes. Her ear resting on his chest could clearly hear the fast thumping inside, knowing that he was effected by his words but she was not yet ready to look back into his eyes. She had to let herself go. "It had become a part of my living...Dhruv told me that I am falling in love with you but I wasn't ready to just to accept it...You always assured me that it's my friendship you needed first...but then when you sang that song...expressed your love...I just couldn't digest it" and she chuckled at that, making him smile too. "But none the less, believe me with each passing day, I fell in love with you...when you are away...I miss your presence...When you are close, I feel secure...And the last nail in the coffin was put in by Rashi day before yesterday" and this time Arjun held her arms and pull her apart just to look straight into her eyes to which she complied. Looking straight into his eyes, she confessed. "Rashi actually made me feel free from my past...I felt free...without any regrets...she made me realize that there was nothing worth in those 11 years, apart from my Mom and now what I have is the cherished part...She had cleared all my doubts...Believe me Arjun, now, there is nothing in my heart for you beside respect and love" She assured once again, making him take a deep satisfactory breathe. "And that seems nothing to you?" He questioned naughtily changing the environment in one minute, making her hit his chest in a playful mood. The lunch was done in a happy cheerful environment and before he knew, it was time for her to leave. "Come soon..." She requested with a smile to which he just nodded and holding her hand, escorted her to the door, making sure that she is settled comfortably in the car and instructing Ron to take care.
Later that day, with a jump in her steps, Arohi moved into kitchen from one side to another while preparing food for dinner. She wanted to do something special for Arjun. Brownies were already baking in the oven. The grilled chicken was marinated and put into fridge. The gravy for Mexican rice was about to be ready. Russian salad and mattar paneer was already done. All she waiting now for was Arjun's return so she can add the rice and let them simmer. Involuntary, her eyes were again and again moving back to clock which was striking 8. "I have never waited so anxiously for someone before...I hope Arjun likes it" She hoped while starting to cut the veggies for salad. "Maam...Let me atleast help you" Rupa voiced from the door where she was constantly standing from the last one hour after being pushed out by Arohi. "It's almost done...don't worry...but yes, please go and take off my dresses from drawing wire. The weather is looking unpredictable" Arohi requested in her usual polite tone but there was something different about her voice right now that Rupa didn't miss to notice. The happiness, the khanak of joy was too evident.
"Something smells AMAZING". Shaina remarked walking into kitchen while inhaling the aura and patting her grumbling tummy. "I am feeling hungry just by the smell" That made Arohi laugh. Taking out a high chair, she guided Shaina to it before helping her sit. "Is it something special?" Shaina inquired next with an amused expression on seeing an Unusual chirpy Arohi. And Damn, she was blushing. Something was definitely up in her sleeves. "Something related to Arjun...Definitely" She asked next hoping to get some reaction out from her but all she saw was her looking away with now scarlet cheeks. That was enough to confirm her suspicions but schooling her expression, she got hold of an apple from shelf before starting. "In between...Aryan told me that Arjun is going out of city...May be he has...Already Left" She stretched the last line just to see Arohi's reaction which was definitely worth watching. The brightened face suddenly fell and the smile was replaced with a grimace. "He is not coming home...?" Arohi inquired in a dejected tone just to see Shaina raising her shoulders in the air. Arohi turned away in madness. "He didn't even informed me" She murmured with a falling heart. "And here I was thinking to surprise him". The spoon that was placed over the cover pan fell down due to imbalance and made her even angrier. The crockery stroke while behind Shaina was trying her best to stifle her giggles. It was such fun to see a furious and anxious Arohi but then Shaina's heart soared with happiness. Things were definitely getting better between the duo.
Switching off the ignition, Arjun took a deep satisfactory breath before getting out from the car. His face had a bright smile itched. His heart had an anticipation. After a long time he was getting home hoping to find someone waiting for him and just this feeling made him fill with bliss. As soon as he reached the main door, the sweet smell greeted his senses. Moving inside, he followed the smell and reached kitchen only to see Arohi turned towards stove. But the way she put off the stove and threw the ladle into the sink with a harsh thud, made her know that something was wrong. Approaching her silently, he questioned. "Is something wrong?" Stunned, Arohi turned around quickly to look at him adoring a confused expression. "You are here" Arjun raised his brows and looked around. "Yes, I am here...where else should I have been? Haven't you asked me to come home sooner?" He inquired only to see her nod. "Yes...But Shaina was saying that..." and before she could say any further, she heard the giggling sound and later, Shaina peeking inside the kitchen. "Hehe...Don't tell me anything but I do have ways to catch you secret...and being a dutiful wife, I am going to share it with Aryan right now..." And just to make it believable, she made a loud call to Aryan. "Shaina ki bachi...I will not leave you" A complaining Arohi rushed behind Shaina who was trying her best to move on the fastest speed possible in that pregnancy state but was caught by Arohi in time. "Don't you dare tell anything to Aryan..." She warned. "Ok...I will not...but then you have to share the details with me..." An excited Shaina took the promise. Looking at the scene from away, all Arjun could do was grin before moving upto his room to change, leaving the sisters to bond up.
The dinner was placed by Arohi and Rupa when Aryan came leading Shaina carefully to the table. "I can walk myself" Shaina argued fakely. "I know...But I want to help you so keep quite" Aryan warned before helping her settle. Arohi's heart literally melted and awed at the scene infront before it started to rush with a rather fast speed as Arjun approached the table in his sky blue kurta, making her feel swoon on his gorgeousness. "Wow..." He was surprised to such a feast displayed out there before his eyes turned to Arohi and rose up in askance. In reply Arohi just looked down with hesitation before running back to the kitchen on the excuse of bringing the salad. Arjun thoroughly enjoyed this shy side of her after seeing the bold one in office. "Bhai...Beth jaoo yaar...K invitation dain" Aryan mocked before giggling along with Shaina. Shaking his head, Arjun sat down on his seat when Rashi came down with hesitant steps, playing with her fingers. "Come Rashi" Aryan called that get Arjun attention diverted towards her. Rashi looked at Aryan with a small smile before passing a quick look at Arjun before looking away. Was he still angry? she couldn't judge. But before she could get close to table, Arjun stood up. Rashi instantly looked up to see Arjun looking back at her intently. She felt shivered. Arjun took a deep breath. "Rashi...please come with me for a minute" Arjun excused himself from the table and moved towards the living room without any further details. Rashi did follow him in few seconds and stood at a corner. "Rashi" He called and turned around to look at her with somber eyes. "I am sorry..." He said seriously with regret pasted on his face. "I am sorry for lashing out on you ...I shouldn't have...I know I should have controlled my anger...But...I...I just..." But Rashi cut him in between. "No bhai...don't say sorry...You dont need to...actually I should say sorry...I should have told you before..." Rashi started but Arjun rose up his hands. "No...I lashed out without letting you explain..." Arjun argued. Rashi just held his arms as he started to get worked up with self-doubt. "How about we say sorry just like old times and end this topic..." Rashi put forward there old traditional solution only to see a small smile appearing on his lips. There hands moved up to there ears together as they both held the earlobes and pulled it saying "Sorry" at the same time with cute expressions before smiling widely. "I am sorry" Rashi said once again moving ahead to hug his brother which was responded by an equal "me too". The moment between the duo was broken by giggles of Aryan and Arohi who had followed them hoping that they will not get into another fight but instead had found them in a hug. "If you both are done manofying eachother than can we go out..." Arohi asked only to hear Shaina's voice from outside. "You guys are giggling out there making me loose the chance to witness the fun...how mean" Aryan surrendered and rushed out followed by Arjun who was equally hungry. Arohi stood back and looked at Rashi who just approached to bring her in a hug. "I am sorry..." Arohi shook her head. "Thank you Rashi...".
The dinner was a happy event as they all laughed, teased and discussed things which were missed upon in last few days. Aryan was making sure Shaina had a healthy diet while Shaina discussed about her dress with Rashi which was still not shown to her. But in between all this two eyes were glancing at eachother from under the lashes. After being too bold in office, now, she was feeling all shy. His gaze was teasing and testing 😉. Cleaning up the table after having the tea, when she finally made her way towards her room, she found him standing in the doorway talking to someone on phone. "Yes...I will be there...don't worry...Just keep things ready...ok" He assured. Without disturbing Arohi made her way towards her room but was held back by the grip of his hand. "Ok bye now" Cancelling the call, Arjun slipped the mobile at the side pocket of his kurta before moving close to her. "Where are you going?" He questioned noticing the goosebumps on her skin. "To...Sleep"... "Hmmm...Let me tell you that the dinner was great...but what I loved the most were brownies..." He appreciated before making her turn and holding both of her hands in a gentle grip. "Thank you Arohi...Thank you for making me feel special..." The earnest tone made her look at him with soft eyes. Arjun looked back at her with those hypnotized eyes that she felt herself melting. Moving ahead, he left a soft peck on her cheek making her feel breathless and close eyed. "Good night...Sweet dreams" Pushing few strands behind her ear, he left just as quietly.
That night, sleep was quite far away from her eyes. That night, she spend in sketching. Sketching his face keeping in mind his expressions when she had confessed, in order to keep that memory alive.
Forever. Next: Should I tell you guys whats coming up?? hmm...hehe
Do good comments and hit likes...
Love you all...🤗
Edited by ..oneOone.. - 9 years ago
Anupamaa
