ArshiFF#6 THE SEED OF PASSION,Ch 53,p.134, 20Feb - Page 16

Chapter 47

Craving the rose

"But he who dares not grasp the thorn

Should never crave the rose" -- Anne Bronte

Man was he exhausted! Shyam locked the door of the shabby room and threw his jittery body on the small rickety bed. The hotel was rundown but its location was perfect...dark and discreet. Arnav who knew his taste for expensive high class living would never bother to look for him at this shabby corner of the beautiful hill station! And yes there was a chance that his saale sahib might know that he was after Rahim chacha in Darjeeling! It was after all his fault! He punched the rough mattress under him and winced as he recollected how angry Subhadra Mallik had been with him!

"Are you daft Shyam! A total nitwit or what! Why in God's name did you call Rahim's niece in Darjeeling as soon as you escaped from the Stockholm jail! It was a stupid thing to do!"

Yes indeed it was! No doubt shatir dimag Arnav could have his call traced! Shyam did not know what had come over him! Subconsciously he was afraid, if Rahim spilled the beans to Arnav, Malliks would be in trouble! It was now up to him to ensure that Rahim's secret would remain a secret!

There was no point in underestimating Arnav! It was Arnav's plan to trap him in Stockholm and force him to sign the divorce papers! Without Anjali's money he would be reduced to a pauper! He had to ensure somehow that his finances did not dwindle and his best bet were the Malliks!

They had promised him a very handsome sum to get rid of Arnav and he hoped to do that soon enough! He was scared that the Swedes would trace him to India and try to extradite him. So he had made plans to flee the country once he had killed his saale sahib with his bare hands!

He had on landing in India thought of wooing that dumb wife of his back. But she was in Kolkata with her Nani and Arnav had turned the house into a fortress. But thankfully he could not guard the entire city and Ajit's men had reported that they had seen Arnav, Khushi and another chap take a car to the airport and catch a flight to Bagdogra! That was a good enough lead for Shyam!

There was a knock on the door. Parcel, sir!" someone whispered outside the door.

"Ah! Just the thing I was waiting for," Shyam clapped his hands.

He open the door stealthily. The receptionist was standing there with a grim face and pushed something wrapped in a towel in Shyam's hand and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Shyam shrugged his shoulders and opened the fold and peeped inside. The gleam of the black revolver was unmistakable. Ajit chacha has a tidy network, he thought. No doubt he wants me to act fast.

"Wonder if this is the same revolver with which Ajit chacha tried to kill Arnav in Sheeshmahal,"Shyam muttered to himself, "because that revolver was never found by the police!"

Shyam smiled wickedly.

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Hey Devi Maiyya why can't the earth split open and hide me in her womb, Kushi begged, her body suffusing with a strange warmth!

It would be an understatement to say that Khushi was embarrassed by the priest's blessing, "Radha- Krishna ki jori, hamesha bani rahe!" (May you live like a couple like Lord Krishna and his consort Radha).

To make matters worse while she was staring at the priest in bewilderment with a big mouthed O', the dupatta slipped off her head and in an attempt to catch it, Arnav hugged her sideways and smiled and winked at her!

Khushi blinked at him, her heart in her mouth, trying to prevent herself from drowning in his brown liquid orbs.

She ran out of the temple helter skelter her heart pounding in her ears, pushing aside the fairy lights hanging on the marble pillars that seemed to cling to her, uncaring of the rough surface under her bare feet...

Suddenly a strong pair of arms whipped her from behind and pinned her stumbling self to a well toned body. His divine smell invaded her senses and she clutched on his collar helplessly as her knees gave away.

"Khushi careful my dear...there is huge crevice behind you..." he whispered into her soft hair.

Khushi's heart somersaulted at the sound of his husky voice.

"By the way what was the priest saying about Radha Krishana?" he teased, snaking his arms around her small waist and cocking his head to one side.

Khushi shifted uncomfortably but tried to sound nonchalant, "Why everyone knows...their jodi is the embodiment of true love...they are eternal lovers..."

"Really?" Arnav drawled, "But why did the priest think we are like them?" his words came in a soft teasing breath.

"I ...I don't know..." she panted raggedly, and pushed him away, stepping away.

But that did not deter him from asking her,

"Why did you run away from the temple? Did you take the priest's words seriously?"

Khushi shook her head and stared at him miserably, helplessly and retreated away from him.

"Well then you should have taken him seriously because I want to tell you something," he smirked and advanced towards her.

Abruptly Khushi turned and bolted towards the hotel, his throaty laughter following her.

She locked the door of her room and dropping to the floor hid her face in her palms...dhak dhak dhak...

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There were loud raps on her door and they kept growing louder...

Khushi sighed and jerked the door wide open, "Enough Arnav..." she started but her eyes flew wide open with surprise to see NK at the door, clutching his stomach and groaning with pain.

"Hey Devi Maiyya! Kya hua NK? (What has happened NK?)" Khushi shrieked and placed her hand on NK's shoulder.

"Khushi mere pet main bada mard hai! (Khushi there is a big man in my stomach!)"

"Bada mard nahi, bada dard NK! (Not big man , but big pain)," Khushi said in reflex, smiling slightly.

NK groaned and slumped against the open door.

Hey Devi Maiyya!" Khushi was really worried now. "NK come into my room, see if you can settle down on my bed..." she said dragging NK into the room.

NK stumbled on to Khushi's bed. He was sweating profusely. Khushi wiped off his perspiration with her handkerchief and said in a shaky voice, "NK I think you need help, I will call Ar..."

Before she could complete the sentence a voice behind her roared, "What the! What is going on here!"

"Arnav!" Khushi turned towards him in relief. But his eyes were on NK who was sprawled on Khushi's bed.

"What are you doing on her bed?" Arnav gritted his teeth and before Khushi could realize anything he grabbed NK by his collar and lifted him, his legs dangling in the air!!

"Arnav!" Khushi screamed at him. "Put NK down, can't you see he is very sick!"

"Sick! My foot! You are too innocent Khushi!" Arnav clenched his fist.

"Arnav if you hurt NK I will never talk to you again..." she threatened him, hand on her hips. "Go call an ambulance at once," she ordered him, her eyes flashing angrily.

Arnav frowned but he put NK on the floor and got an ambulance in no time which was as well because at the hospital NK was diagnosed with a case of severe appendicitis!

"Hey Devi Maiyya! Will NK have to undergo an operation immediately?" tears welled up in her eyes. She clutched Arnav's sleeve and trembled slightly.

Arnav hugged her tightly and ran his hand up and down her back till warm blood flew in her veins again. "Shh!" he whispered soothingly.

"Don't worry, I will take care of everything. NK will be fine, I promise, okay?" he lifted her chin with with his thumb and wiped the tears that had spilled out of her eyes.

Khushi nodded mutely at him. She knew he did not like NK but she also knew if there was anyone she could rely on at the time of crisis it was Arnav! She smiled at him in gratefulness and lay her head on his shoulder and snuggled into the crook of his neck. Arnav put his arms around her protecting her in his strong embrace.

His phone buzzed. He checked his phone without disturbing Khushi. It was a message from Aman.

ASR you were right, Shyam has been spotted in Darjeeling by my private investigators. Now that you have identified the man with Naira Usman as Rahim chacha, your work is done. You must leave Darjeeling immediately. I will take care of the rest.'

Can't go back now.There is an emergency.' Arnav typed and brushed his lips against Khushi's hair.

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It was midnight when Arnav and Khushi returned to the hotel from the hospital. Both were dead tired but relieved that the operation was successful and NK was sleeping peacefully.

It had been a long eventful day!

Arnav unlocked Khushi's door and handed her the key. Looking deep into her eyes he said, "Good night Khushi. I hope you had taken my advice and returned to the hotel earlier..."

"And leave you alone at the hospital?" Khushi retorted, "Never Arnav...!"

There was an embarrassing pause before Khushi mumbled, "Goodnight" and entered her room.

She turned back to look at him but he was on the phone.

"Di!" he mouthed to her and rolled his eyes.

Khushi smiled, gave him a thumbs up sign and closed the door.

Arnav stared longingly at the closed door.

Di's shriek brought him out of his reverie.

" Chhotey, are you even listening to me? Do you know how many times I called you? I was so worried! Are you okay? Is Khushi okay?" Anjali shouted at the other end.

"Hey Di! Relax! Khushi and I are fine. We were at the hospital and my phone was silent so..." Arnav said walking into his room and kicking off his shoes tiredly. "Hospital?!! What! Why?!" Anjali wailed, "I knew something was wrong..."

Unbuttoning his shirt Arnav let out a big sigh, "Di believe me, everything is fine now! There is no need to panic! NK was in terrible pain and we had to rush him to the hospital. He was diagnosed with an appendicitis and was operated upon immediately."

There was a pause at the other end while Anjali digested this news.

"Oh my!" she exclaimed, "Poor NK! How is he now?"

"He is fine Di! But of course he will have to stay in the hospital for a few days, before he is deemed fit to travel back home..."

"But that also means he will not be able to take part in the Hang Gliding competition!" Anjali's tone was thoughtful.

"Which is good!" Arnav snorted, "I would have never trusted him to keep Khushi safe in the air..."

There was a perceptible change in Anjali's voice, "But Chhotey Khushi was so keen ...and you are an expert at all air-borne sports...so maybe you can partner Khushi instead of NK..."

"What the!" Arnav growled in surprise, "I will do no such thing Di!"

"Arrey think about it Chhotey! Poor Khushi will be so disappointed...she so wanted to take part in the competition...do you want to break her heart, Chhotey?" Anjali feigned sadness.

Arnav gasped. Break her heart! No, he couldn't do that, he thought shrugging off his shirt. He stared at his bare torso in the mirror, where his heart was...beating for her...as always...only he was realizing the feel now...

"I will see what I can do, Di..." he answered hoarsely and disconnected the line.

At the other end Anjali rubbed her hands in glee! She had hit the target she knew!

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" Arnav Singh Raizada is in Darjeeling somewhere! Just find him for me and make it quick!" Shyam barked on the phone.

"Yes boss," Rocky spit out his gum.

"And what about that old man?" he inquired.

"Don't worry about him now. His niece is on my payroll. She will hand him over to me as soon as I am done with my saale sahib..." Shyam cackled.

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The sun rays skimmed her face and Khushi grumbled. Knock, knock, someone was at the door. Khushi mumbled a protest and stuffed her face in the pillow.

And then with a pang she immediately connected it with NK knocking on her door clutching on to his stomach. That woke her up! She threw off the quilt and shivering slightly opened the door.

Arnav swallowed hard as he took in Khushi's sleepy appearance...her tousled hair, her droopy eyes, her cute red nose, her lovely flushed cheeks, her beautiful full pink lips...

"A rose for a rose..." he said in a trance, handing her a red rose.

"Wow! That's lovely Arnav! Ratna aunty used to love this shade of red remember?"

"Yes..." he said softly, "Maa did..."

"And I love it too..." Khushi smiled.

Arnav felt contended to see the smile back on her face again. He wanted to see her smiling always...

"I have removed the thorn...it won't prick you..." he said gently.

"Oh! Thank you Arnav. How thoughtful of you," she said her heart racing.

Arnav raked his fingers through his hair and smiled sheepishly.

"Get ready and come down Sleepy head. I am waiting for you outside!"

"But where are we going?" she asked in surprise.

Arnav shook his head at her, "Really Khushi! Don't tell me you have forgotten the very purpose of coming to Darjeeling...the Gliding competition!"

"But NK..." Khushi mumbled, feeling sad for her friend.

"I have found a new partner for you!"

""New partner, who?" she asked Arnav curiously.

"Why me!" Arnav cocked his eyebrow.

"Why won't I do?" he asked huskily.

Blood rushed into her cheeks...her eyelashes fluttered...

"Hmm..." was all she could manage to mumble! Of course he would do perfectly! All she wanted was him!

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Khushi took a breath of the fresh mountain air and stretched her limbs. She was really looking forward to go gliding with Arnav. Today they were supposed to train and tomorrow...the competition would begin. It would be an experience of a lifetime! She had a gut feeling about it!

"I am really excited about this! Thank you Arnav for being my partner," she said offering her hand to him as he helped her into the jeep.

Arnav felt his soul stirring as he noticed the rose in her hair.

He quickly loaded the gear required for hang gliding in the jeep and they were off to the training ground. Arnav couldn't keep his eyes off her even as he drove. The sun seemed to shine from behind her giving her that rapturous glow...the green carpet, past which they sped seemed to give her hazel eyes a new tint. Arnav smiled happily.

Khushi couldn't stop stealing gazes at him. She smiled secretly.

Who would have thought the Laad Governor would have stayed with NK throughout his operation! He had also promised to take her to meet NK after the training! He really was not as heartless as he pretended to be. Hey Devi Maiyya how can I not love him!

"Did you say something, Khushi?"

Khushi clamped her mouth and shook her head wide-eyed. She hoped she hadn't muttered anything aloud! And rightfully so! Why should she when the Laad Governor had not admitted to anything! Oh how much she wanted to hear him say those three words...or did she, she thought wringing her fingers nervously.

"Nervous?" he asked her.

Khushi looked at him in amazement! Was he a mind reader!

"Its alright, don't worry I have done hang gliding many times before. You just have to hang on to me...!" he said seriously.

Oh okay he was talking about hang gliding, Khushi let out her breath.

"Can you do that? Can you trust me?" he asked her stopping the jeep suddenly and pointing towards the sky.

Arnav saw the happiness in her eyes and felt her soft breasts against his hard chest. And then she turned her face into him and her lips were inches away, her lower lip swollen with all that chewing. His lips curved and he suddenly swooped down on her lips, brushing them with his own, tasting her a bit. She stiffened for a second and then pressed her lips to his, leaning into him.

Arnav groaned and running his hand into her hair, pulled her closer by the nape of her neck and kissed her softly, tentatively, slowly exploring her mouth as if he was kissing her for the first time. Khushi lost her bearings, the world around her ceased to exist...her heart and soul became one with his...

The sound of a screeching vehicle brought them to their senses and they parted... their eyes swimming with desire...

"Hey is that ASR? The youngest business tycoon of our country...?" a voice shrieked.

"Oh yes it is!" another shouted.

Camers flashed, video recorders started rolling announcing the arrival of the media channels and newspapers!

"What the!" Arnav roared. "Back off!" he said jumping off the jeep. He pulled Khushi out and clutching her hand tightly moved towards the training ground.

"Hey ASR! We only want to ask a few questions," the reporters pursued them, thrusting their microphones into his face, "What are you doing here? Are you participating in the competition? Is this girl your partner in the competition? Who is she?"

Khushi looked at Arnav expecting him to answer the questions but he just scowled at them and dragged her away.

"Is she your girlfriend?" asked a lady journalist

"Or is she one of your latest catches? A one night stand maybe?!" the middle aged reporter Kamalesh Khabri taunted him.

"How dare you?!" Arnav growled and in a flash Arnav was at his throat, his eyes flashing daggers, his body language challenging...the reporter stumbled backwards...there was a hush and then a commotion broke out...cameras flashed and blinded Khushi.

Khushi was in tears. And that angered Arnav further

"You piece of f****** crap, she is special to me...you get it?" Arnav gritted his teeth and punched the man, "And no one has the right to insult her, to wipe that smile off her face, you undersand?" Arnav punched Kamalesh Khabri again...harder.

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Aman was in a meeting with the Swede partners in the AK office in Delhi when an employee came running and gesturing widely with a shocked expression on his face said, "Boss on TV...beating someone..."

Aman looked at him in disbelief but quickly switched on the TV. His jaw dropped and he blinked rapidly...in all his years with ASR he had never seen him lose his cool with the media people...

The Swedes and the employees who had gathered around the television were actually grinning and supporting their boss!

Aman pulled his hair in misery!

Aman slumped down on his chair and dialled Anjali's number. Only she could help him.

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Somewhere in Darjeeling the lights from the television cast an eerie shadow in the rundown hotel room. Shyam threw back his head and laughed viciously.

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I hope you are wondering what is going to happen next!😛 It is your eagerness that makes me want to write because I am a non writer who is really lucky to have readers like you.⭐️😃

(This Ganesh Chaturthi Lord Ganesha has shown me a new journey for Arshi which I shall write in the subsequent chapters.)

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Khushi mera pet main bada mard hai😆

Shyam is in hell and suffering a lot without Anjali's money and wanted to kill Arnav for money from Ajith.

Loved how Arnav helped Nk and stayed till treatment completed though he don't like him much and the way Khushi trusted him with it.

Loved how Arnav teased Khushi at temple. The way he gave rose in the morning taking out thorns saying" A rose for a Rose"😳

Anjali is smart played her cards well😆

Arnav is Khushi's partner in gliding and loved their kiss.

By beating journalist Arnav unknowingly helped Shyam to know exact place where he was.

Hope Aman with hrlp of Anjali does something before Shyam try to harm Arshi

Eagerly waiting for next update

I can not wait for the next part of your story and i really hope everything is going to be ok. Thanks for the pm

shyam found them..

what will happen now