ArshiFF#6 THE SEED OF PASSION,Ch 53,p.134, 20Feb - Page 9

Dear Readers⭐️

Thanks to each and everyone of you for your likes and comments which make me smile, laugh, wonder and want to be a writer of Arshi love...

Chapter 46

Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?

Khushi's heart stopped beating and her world spun to a sudden halt!

Love...

Had he just mentioned the word...love

Did he really?

And she closed her eyes and his words echoed in her ears...

"This...whatever this is...I feel it Khushi...my body responds to it, my heart beats to it...Dammit is this what you call love?"

And as if that was the quintessential spark her heart warmed again, her world did a whooping somersault and started its spin...and her heart heaved...

He raised his head from her pounding heart and looked into the depths of her hazel eyes for the answer he sought...

A million stars lit up inside Khushi and all around her and suddenly she lowered her eyelashes, shyness overcoming her. Khushi licked her dry lips and averted her gaze...

"Wh...What can I say Arnav..." she stammered, her cheeks suffused with a rising red.

Arnav watched each gesture of hers with increasing astonishment and affection. He had never seen Khushi so coy and bashful...there was something about it that made his heart melt in a puddle...

He smirked. "You mean to say perhaps this is not love...Ah! I knew no such thing existed..." he teased her.

"I didn't say that!" she raised her eyes in a furious pout.

There she is back! My spirited girl! Arnav thought, hiding a smile. When she is there nothing seems amiss, everything seems to be right. He reached out and held her hand gently and then slowly smoothening her palm, kissed it and placed it over his heart.

"Now tell me, does my heartbeat race like yours, hmm...?" he asked, his lips curving in a slight smile.

Khushi gulped. She did not quite know how to react when he was this way...

"But my heart race faster than yours! It goes dhak, dhak, dhak..." she blurted.

"What crap!" Arnav rolled his eyes, "There is no way you can do anything better than me Khushi Kumari Gupta!" he insisted.

"What rubbish!" Khushi glared at him. "Have you forgotten Arnav even when we were kids you could not beat me ever!" She said withdrawing her hand from his heart and staring daggers at him.

Arnav threw back his head and laughed throatily.

"So what does that mean...?" he asked in a husky voice, gently fingering the strand of hair falling on her face and tucking it behind her ear.

His slight touch sent waves of pleasure tingling down her spine. She shivered and closed her eyes as he caressed her earlobe, cheek and chin slowly with his thumb, delighting in the rising colour in her cheeks and then tracing the same path with his lips just stopping at her pink flush ones...

His irises were so close, brown with flecks of shining gold...Khushi watched mesmerized as they penetrated her soul.

"Khushi..." he whispered, his lips moving on hers...

When his phone rang...

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"Khushi I have to go!" Arnav muttered. There was a strange look on his face and as he disconnected his phone and suddenly Khushi felt uneasy.

"Where are you going Arnav?" she said clutching his collar, willing him not to go.

"I told you earlier. I have some work here in Darjeeling, Khushi. And Aman just gave me an important piece of information..." he said with a serious expression on his face.

"What..what is it Arnav? Tell me!" she insisted loudly.

"You keep away from all this Khushi...!" Arnav said brushing her hand away from his collar and getting up from the bed abruptly.

"Keep away from what Arnav? Is is something dangerous? Tell me!" she said anxiously, feeling scared.

"Really Khushi! Don't be childish! I have to go now!" Arnav said brusquely and turning around towards the door.

Khushi's eyes welled with tears to see him go...suddenly she felt empty and dark inside...

Arnav turned around and was shocked to see tears streaming down her face.

"Khushi!" he was besides her in two strides.

He cupped her face and wiped her tears with his thumbs. "I am sorry...I didn't mean to hurt you...I will be back in an hour..." he soothed her.

"Promise?" she asked her lips trembling.

"Promise.." he smirked and then bending down kissed her, taking her lips hungrily as if there was no tomorrow. Khushi entwined her fingers in his thick dark hair and pulled him closer to her, arching her back to give him greater accesss to her mouth.

For many ticking seconds they were completely lost in each other till it became compulsory to break the kiss to breathe!

Arnav kissed her forehead and said, "By the way our conversation on that dammit love is not over...we shall resume when I get back..."

And he was gone.

The orange sun setting in the horizon seemed to whisper a promise to the swaying pine trees...a strange joy rushed through her veins...

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Arnav waited impatiently at the end of the Mall road, a cap clamped on his head, casting a dark shadow on his face. He lifted his collar, covering his chin. No way anyone could have recognized him.

"Hey ASR are you feeling like ACP Pradyuman...!" Aman's voice floated into his ear.

"Who?" Arnav growled into his bluetooth.

"ACP pradyuman, the Sherlock Holmes of Indian TV!" Aman said eagerly.

"Shut up Aman," Arnav gritted his teeth. Don't tell me you rushed me to the Mall to listen to your nonsense!"

"Sorry ASR!" Aman was piqued. "I just arranged for you to see Naira Usman as you had demanded."

"Okay then, lets get down to work!"

" Are you sure the picture you mailed me is of Naira Usman?" Arnav said inspecting the picture of a slim woman in her 40s, wearing a black salwar kameez She had a huge mole on her left cheek that made her look sinister.

"nd you are also sure this Naira Usman takes this route during her evening walk?" Arnav demanded.

"Yes ASR. That's what my sources reported. Sometimes she is accompanied...

Arnav did not allow Aman to complete his sentence and spoke urgently into his bluetooth...I think I see her Aman..."

"Oh my!" Aman said anxiously. Even from his office in Delhi he could feel the tension.

Arnav took a deep breath. Yes there she was. The woman with the mole! She was wearing the same salwar kaeez she was wearing in the picture. She had only added a light jacket to the attire.

Arnav pretended to take a picture of the snow laden mountains in the distance and clicked her photograph. Click, click...he clicked two more shots, when she suddenly stopped walking.

What the! Arnav thought. Hope she hasn't suspected anything. Hope I am looking touristy enough!

He let out a deep breath as he saw the woman turning back and gesturing to someone to hurry up.She was gesturing to an old man, with a stick in his hand. Arnav squinted his eyes.

There was something familiar about the man!

His gait, the way he shrugged his shoulders and hurried towards the woman...Arnav was sure he had seen him before... Except for the wrinkles around his beady eyes , his round face, though haggard, looked familiar...

Arnav turned away as the duo passed him, thinking furiously where had he seen this man before...when he heard him say, "Jaldi kya hai Naira?(Why the hurry Naira?)"

And then he knew! How many times had he heard the smile in that voice,

"Arnav bitwa juice pi ke jao...khelne ki itni jaldi kya hai? (Arnav bitwa drink your juice...why the hurry to play?)"

"Arnav bitwa pero ko paani do...computer chalane ki itni jaldi kya hai? (Arnav bitwa water the plants...why the hurry to work on the computer?)"

Rahim chacha! Always patient, always smiling, always caring...Rahim chacha!

Arnav swirled around and gaped at Rahim chacha disappearing in the sun!

He whispered hoarsely into the Bluetooth, "Aman, I know him...I mean I know the man with Naira Usman , its Rahim chacha..."

"Rahim chacha...who?" Aman waited with bated breath to hear the answer.

"He was with us for many years, he was like a family member in Sheeshmahal..."

"When did you see him last ASR?" Aman inquired excitedly

" He disappeared after maa's death...Dadi told me he had gone to his home...I found it strange that he left without telling me...Di and I passed those days in such turmoil that I did not think about it much...but now that I know that Maa was murdered..." Arnav' voice trailed off...

"Dammit!" Arnav suddenly roared, "Do you think he knows something about Maa's death...? Is that why he was removed from Sheeshmahal by Dadi and Ajit chacha and brought to Darjeeling to live with this woman!"

"I think you are bang on ASR! I think Naira is Rahim chacha's relative or something. Subhadra and Ajit Mallik are in touch with her and Rahim chacha through Shyam!"

Arnav pursed his lips and gritted through his teeth "All these years they have kept in touch with him...that means Rahim chacha really knows something very very important...!"

"Yes ASR, after escaping from the Stockholm prison Shyam made the first call to alliks in Delhi and the second call was to Naira's house in Darjeeling!"

Arnav's shatir dimag picked up pace. "Aman, I am sure that Shyam will be in Darjeeling soon , if he isn't here already! And before he tries to get in touch with Rahim chacha we must whisk him away to a safe place, somewhere where only I can talk to him! I know he is the key to Maa's killing! I feel it!"

"Is Rahim chacha also involved in the murder in some way...?" Aman questioned hesitatingly.

"I was thinking the same Aman...but it is not possible! The Rahim chacha I knew would have never betrayed my mother!" Arnav closed his eyes in pain and disconnected the line.

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Arnav brown pools darkened as they registered the last remnants of the fading orange light. He took a deep breath! Ever since he had left Delhi his life seemed to have tran*sformed completely. He had come to know of his mother's murder and had come this far in search of the murderer's trail.

He did not know what to make of Rahim chacha's role but he hoped he could come a step closer to solving the mystery surrounding his Maa's murder which had only deepened the hurt that was lodged deep in his soul...

"Arnav where are you?" Khushi's voice filtered in from a distance.

"Khushi..." Arnav voice was shaky.

Immediately Khushi felt something was wrong ."Arnav ...what is it?" she gasped, her eyes wideming with fear.

"Huh...yes Khushi , all is fine..." Arnav lied.

There was a pause at the other end. Finally Khushi said, "You don't sound good Arnav...please come back now!" she ordered.

"Yes Ma'm," he murmured, his lips curling in a smile at her concern and revved the engine of the rented jeep, "I am coming to you..."

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Shyam shivered in the cool mountain air and pulled the monkey cap down his face. It had been a long journey but finally he was here in Darjeeling! He would meet Naira, Rahim's niece soon! He cracked his fingers and flexed his muscles. He would see to it that Arnav was buried in these mountains!!

"You have chosen the correct place to go missing...I am just waiting to lay my hands on you my dear Saale sahib..." he smiled evilly.

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Arnav parked the jeep in front of the hotel and jumped out of it. He needed to see Khushi...talk to her...

He had always been able to keep his hurt bottled up inside him...but something had changed...

Khushi had changed it...he needed to share with her...things he hadn't even told Di...how the permanent pain in his heart welled up everytime he thought of the pain his Maa must have gone through...in her life and in her death...Rahim chacha had brought back so many memories...

"Khushi!" he knocked on her door and not getting any response, pushed open the door slightly...

It was dark inside. What the! Where is she! She just spoke to me on the phone!

"Khushi?" his tone was worried.

He switched on the electric switch and the room was flooded with light but Khushi was not there!

Arnav turned on his heel and ran towards the dormitory allotted to NK. NK had just emerged from the shower and seeing Arnav commented, "The water of the mountains is so fresh...

Damn the water NK! Arnav roared at him. "Where is Khushi?"

Nk was surprised at his outburst!

"Hey man! Chill! When I came back from my walk I met her in the lobby. She said she would take a stroll in the gardens! I told her to go ahead , I shall join...

But before he could finish his sentence Arnav had sped off in the direction of the hotel garden!

"Strange guy!" NK said rolling his eyes!

Beads of tension rolled down Arnav's neck as he ran helter skelter around the garden! Khushi was nowhere to be seen! "Dammit!" he muttered under his breath. "Where is she? Has something happened to her...has someone harmed her...!" The very thought was chilling! His heart sank! No as long as he was alive no one could harm her!

"Hello sir, are you looking for something?" a singsong female voice brought him out of his reverie!

Arnav blinked at the receptionist who was standing in front of him fluttering her eyelashes.

"Yes, yes..." he retorted in a strangled voice, "Have you seen Khushi? I mean the girl I came with?"

The stared at him in surprise and shock! Her face crumpled and it looked like she would burst into tears!

"Oh! Don't tell me!That girl was with you!! I thought she was with the other guy!" she said in a trembling voice.

"With the other guy! NK! Khushi with NK" Arnav was incredulous! "No way! She is with me! But I can't find her now! Have you seen her?"

The girl looked at him with a sad face! I have fallen for this drop dead gorgeous guy and he doesn't even know I exist! All he cares is for the other girl and he seems to be desperately in love with her!

She sighed and raised her finger towards the narrow pathway going down the rear end of the hotel.

"She went that way..." her lips quivered.

Arnav smiled in relief. "Oh thank you...sorry, I didn't get your name..."

"You never asked," the girl blinked away her tears. "Its Indi..."

"Oh Hi Indi and thanks a tonne! Arnav gave her his most charming smile and sprinted down the narrow alley to find Khushi.

The pathway led him down the hill but he did not know where to go from there!

He looked around him in bewilderment! And then he heard them! The temple bells!

He looked up at the hillock above him and the small temple situated atop it. The fairy lights on the temple twinkled at him!

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Hathi ghora palki!

Jai Kanhaiya lal ki!

(Praise be to Lord Krishna!)

Khushi chanted loudly along with the other worshippers!

Suddenly a pair of hands grabbed her by her waist and dragged her behind the nearest marble pillar!

"Arnav!" she gasped "What are you doing? People are staring at us!"

"What the Khushi! I have been searching for you like a mad man! Do you know how worried I was! Why were you not picking up your phone! What if something had happened to you!"

Khushi stared in the deep depths of his eyes that seemed to be looking at her in a special way...her heart stopped...

"Arnav please...let me go..." Khushi gulped but she did not make any attempt to disengage herself from his tight embrace.

"Why?" Arnav leaned into her and whispered in her ears so as to make himself hear above the sound of the temple bells.

Khushi gazed into his eyes and smiled suddenly. "Actually I am glad you are here! Nand Gopal has brought you to this temple to celebrate Janmashtami with me!

"What crap!" Arnav barked, "I am going back to the hotel."

Khushi's face dropped and she pushed him away and said, "Go then..."

And she started moving towards the idol, where a crowd was gathering for the Janmashtami pooja

Arnav stood still watching her walking away from him in anger... And something melted inside him...

"Khushi...Khushi..." he pushed aside the crowd and ran after her.

She was standing right before Lord Krishna her hands folded and eyes closed when Arnav nudged her.

"Why are you here?" she growled at him.

" I just wanted to continue the conversation...from where we left it!"

What conversation?"

"Forgotten Khushi? The one about...love dammit!" he teased her huskily, admiring the red that suffused her cheeks.

Khushi avoided his eyes...her heart leaping to her mouth.

She adjusted the dupatta on her head nervously as Arnav inched closer to her to protect her from the jostling crowd.

The temple bells rang out... the priest took took her offerings and put tika on her forehead and also on Arnav's forehead before he could step back.

He laid his hand on their heads and blessed them , "Radha- Krishna ki jori, hamesha bani rahe!" (May you live like a couple like Lord Krishna and his consort Radha).

Arnav put his arm around her and their eyes locked.

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⭐️ Happy Janmashtami !⭐️😃