Arshi FF - A Heart That Loves... (Chapter 10 on Thread 2, 29/01/17) - Page 18

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Wonderful story.😊

A Heart That Loves - Chapter 3

It wasn't that she didn't want him to move forward... She did... But in time... She knew she wanted it all with him - only with him... Regardless of whether he loved her or not... But only at a point when they had both opened up to each other fully... She wasn't sure if that would ever happen, but a girl could dream right?

Khushi looked down at Arnav sleeping in her arms peacefully like a baby.

She didn't know what had upset him so much that he came to her apartment at this time, completely drunk... She had never seen him so out of himself... And who was this woman who had left him...?

She wished he would share his pain with her... But she knew that in the morning he would act as if nothing had happened - he would block her out of it...

But no matter how much he pushes me, I'll always be by his side,' she decided. Always...'

And with that she went to sleep, tightening her arms around him, giving him the comfort he needed even in his sleep, while taking comfort from the fact that she had the love of her life in her arms, sleeping peacefully beside her...

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The next morning, Khushi was the first one to wake up.

At first, she was startled to feel the heavy weight on top of her. But then she looked down and saw Arnav, who was cozily snuggled up to her chest with his one hand wrapped around her waist and his one leg thrown over hers.

That was when she remembered the events of last night.

She checked the clock and saw that there was still a little bit of time before she would have to wake up Arnav so they both could go to office on time.

She was going to go back to sleep when she remembered that Arnav had been really drunk yesterday night. And she'd heard somewhere that having lemon water the next morning helps with the hangover.

So with a lot of difficulty, Khushi managed to untangle herself from his strong hold, even in his sleep, and then she headed to the kitchen to make the lemon water.

Once done, she came back into the bedroom and placed the glass of lemon water on the small bedside table, before she decided to go and have a shower.

Once she was out, she saw Arnav still sleeping on the bed like a baby with his mouth open.

Unable to resist, she got under the covers and moved up close to Arnav, wrapping her arm around his waist while she rested her head on his chest, before closing her eyes.

And Arnav, as though he felt her presence even in his sleep, wrapped his one arm around Khushi, pulling her closer to him.

Khushi just lay there fully awake, cuddled up to him, enjoying his presence and warmth until the alarm rang half an hour later.

As she saw the time, she knew it was time to get up.

She tried to get out of Arnav's grip, but this time it was almost near impossible. His grip was too strong this time.

Realising she had to wake up Arnav now, she got up from his chest, though she was still in his arms, and called, "Arnavji, uthiye (Arnavji, wake up)"

When he still didn't get up, she lightly tapped him on his shoulder a few times, to wake him up, "Arnavji, get up - it's time to get ready for office," she said.

Arnav groaned as the most peaceful sleep he'd had in many years was now being ruined.

"Sone do naa! (Let me sleep!)" he complained, still half asleep as he turned them both over, so that Khushi was now lying on her back, Arnav's arms still around her as he buried his face in her neck, ready to drift back into deep sleep.

"Arnavji!" Khushi tried to tap his arms which were holding her waist, but nothing seemed to be working.

Though Arnav didn't really take in the voice that was constantly telling him to wake up, he did however notice that the mattress beneath him was too soft. And too warm. And too... Khushi...

Wait what? Why did the pillow smell like Khushi?' he thought groggily.

That's when he finally decided to open his eyes lazily and check, but then as soon as he did, he was shocked to see a neck.

And when he got up slightly, he saw Khushi looking at him with what looked like relief on her face.

"You're awake? Thank you Devi Maiyya! We need to get ready for office, Arnavji. We're getting late!" Khushi said.

It took Arnav a while to understand what she'd just said, because a pounding headache had suddenly crept up on him.

Seeing Arnav's expression twist slightly, Khushi understood it must be the hangover.

Still laying beneath him, she quickly reached out to the glass she'd prepared earlier, and brought it up to Arnav, gesturing with her eyes for him to drink it.

As he looked at her questioningly, she said, "It's lemon water - good for hangovers. I woke up half an hour ago, and made this knowing you'd have a hangover when you wake up. Then had a showered and as we still had time, I went back to sleep," she explained, though she lied about the going back to sleep' part. She didn't want to tell him that she just wanted to be close to him...

Though what Khushi said made a little bit of sense, he was still confused. He just couldn't get himself to remember how exactly he had ended up in this position with Khushi. Had they been sleeping like this the whole night? Tangled up together so intimately? And how come Khushi was acting so normally about it?

Slowly, he removed his hands from Khushi's waist, and turned himself slightly, so he was now sitting up on the bed.

So many questions were bothering him and it only added to the headache he already had.

Seeing Arnav not making a move to take the drink into his hand, Khushi got herself up into a sitting position next to him, and then held the drink up to his lips, urging him to drink.

Arnav obliged without a word, taking small sips from the drink, while he stole glances at Khushi in between.

As he drank the lemon water slowly, bit by bit he started remembering the events of last night. How he'd come to Khushi's apartment drunk... How she'd made him lie down on the bed safely... How he'd expressed his sadness to her... How she'd comforted him... Everything came back.

Suddenly, when he looked at Khushi, he felt a flood of emotions go through him.

Why was this girl so lovely? Last night, she'd tended to him without a single complaint. Then, she'd gone out of her way to get up early morning and make lemon water for him.

And now, she was making him drink the lemon water herself, just like a mother would for her child.

He felt something stir in his heart. No one had ever done something like that for him, except his mum. His Di loved him a lot, and she always tried to give a lot of love, and she did. But after she got married to Shyam, she just didn't seem to have as much time to spend with her Chote anymore. Not at the beginning of her marriage anyways.

After the first year or so she found it in her to manage her time well, and find more time for her Chote. But by that time Arnav had already immersed himself into work like maniac. He still loved his Di a lot, and he knew that she loved him a lot too. She would always be his priority. But it had hurt when she wasn't able to spend time with him. He had been happy for her but the young little brother in him yearned for the mother's love that he only got from his Di now. But soon, he got it drilled into his head that he shouldn't rely on anybody. Anybody.

That's why it meant a lot to him when Khushi cared for him so much, going out of her way to do things for him.

He'd always noticed it - the way she made sure he had his meals and medicines on time, the way she ran over to him whenever she knew he was having a headache and she massaged his head, the way she would sit down and do her crazy antics to divert his mind if she knew he was really angry or upset...

At first, he would admonish her for all these things, saying he didn't need anyone's help and he could look after himself pretty well. He'd shouted at her several times saying that she needed to just mind her own business. But alas! When did this girl listen? She just somehow crept up on him and eventually, as months passed, he started to accept her care little by little.

He didn't know what he'd done to deserve all that care though... All of this scared him more than he wanted to admit...

When he was done with the drink she put the glass aside before she said, "Why don't you go and shower while I go and make breakfast for you?"

He nodded in response, feeling slightly better after having the drink. He'd just set his one foot on the floor when he felt a soft grip on his arm, stopping him.

He turned back and gestured with his eyes as if asking, What's wrong?'

"Aap teek toh haina? (Are you okay?)" she asked, searching his eyes.

How much would this girl care for him?' he thought, feeling a sudden gush of emotions fill him.

Without another thought he grabbed the back of her neck, pulling her closer before he caught her gasp in his mouth, as he took her lips into a passionate kiss.

Khushi had been taken aback with his actions at first, foreign to this kind of intimacy. But then a few seconds later when she felt his teeth tug at her lips and suck on them with hunger, she felt herself give into the moment with a moan of pleasure.

Both were each other's firsts so they both kissed each other to their hearts content, discovering the art together and burning in the fire of passion they'd created themselves.

As their lips fused and tongues dueled, somewhere in between, they ended up with Khushi lying on the bed while Arnav was on top. Khushi's face was cradled by Arnav's one hand while his other hand explored the exposed skin of her waist as her top had ridden up some time during their sizzling encounter. Meanwhile, Khushi ran her fingers through Arnav's hair with her one hand, pulling him closer while her other hand explored his back underneath his shirt.

Both were kissing each other with equal passion and hunger, no one wanting this moment to end.

But soon they ran out of breath and pulled apart, with Arnav burying his head in the crook of her neck as they both tried to catch their breath, their bodies staying in the same positon while their hands refused to move from where they were.

Arnav placed a kiss on her neck and was thinking of getting up when Khushi said, "You still didn't answer my question - are you okay?" as she stroked his hair.

Arnav lifted his head up to look into her eyes. Those eyes which held so much care for him and now held so much passion too.

Unable to hold himself back, he took her lips into a searing kiss. Again.

Khushi's body arched up into the kiss as she kissed him back with equal fervor. Again.

And they both started exploring the ocean of pleasure they'd just discovered together. Again.

This time when they pulled away minutes later, Arnav leaned his forehead against Khushi's as they both tried to catch their breath.

A few moments later Arnav finally gave her the reply she needed to hear.

"I'm okay now," he said breathlessly, emphasising his point by placing a soft peck on her lips.

He watched as a beautiful blush emerged and spread across her cheeks as she lowered her eyes shyly, her chest still heaving up and down from the effect of the kisses.

Her hands which had been clutching his hair and caressing his back, slid down to clutch onto his shirt.

Chuckling lightly, he placed a kiss on each of her cheeks, his lips lingering a little longer than necessary, before he tore himself away from her, knowing that if he stayed with her in bed, he would just keep kissing her all day.

"I'm going to take my shower," he said, getting out of bed, leaving a blushing and shy Khushi on the bed.

After Arnav had shut the door behind him, Khushi brought her shaky fingers up to touch her lips as she thought, "My first kiss... His first kiss... Our first kiss..." she thought, in wonder.

A small, shy smile peaked out of her lips as her mind replayed the events all over again. She felt tingles all over her body just thinking about it...

She was lost in her thoughts, blushing, when she looked at the clock and realised they were getting late and she still needed to make breakfast!!!

Berating herself for her carelessness, she was about to leave to the kitchen when she realised that Arnav didn't bring any clothes with him.

As she racked her brain, she suddenly remembered the suit that she'd bought him along with the red shirt, a while ago. She'd seen the shirt and instantly thought of Arnav, so she'd bought it along with a suit. But she'd never brought up enough courage in her to actually give it to him, since he never wore anything except black and white and she wasn't sure whether he'd like her gift or not. Plus, she was just a mere PA and she couldn't afford all the branded clothes that Arnav normally wore - not that what she bought wasn't still high-class, but it couldn't match up to the branded suits right?

But he needed it today since he didn't have any other clean clothes here, so she thought she'll just give it to him now. But then... What about his underwear? She didn't have any of those...' she thought awkwardly.

She went up to the bathroom and knocked on the door, even though she could still hear the shower running.

"Arnavji," she knocked.

"Yeah?" he called.

"Could you... ummm... please hand me over your boxers?" she asked, timidly.

"What the?! Why do you need my boxers?" he asked, bewildered. This was so unlike Khushi!

"Have you thought about what you're going to wear after taking a shower?" she questioned back. After hearing a moment of silence, she said, "I'll just quickly wash it and put in the dryer so it will be ready by the time you come out," she explained.

Reluctantly, Arnav opened the door very slightly and handed over his boxers to Khushi's shaky hands.

He didn't know why he felt so weird with all this - it just felt so domestic... And he kind of liked it with Khushi... But somewhere, it scared him too...

Khushi took the boxers, quickly and hand-washed them, feeling slightly awkward about it. But at the same time, it felt good in a weird way too because it just felt so intimate to do something like this for Arnav... And she liked it... Though it did feel a little bit out of place at the same time...

Once she put them in the dryer, she came back into the room and took his suit/shirt out and laid it down on the bed, ready for him to wear when he came out.

Then she quickly got herself dressed and ready for work, and then made sure Arnav had everything he needed laid out on the bed, before she ran over to the kitchen and started making breakfast for both her and Arnav.

As she was making breakfast, she heard the bathroom door open, telling her he was out.

A few minutes later, she felt an arm wrap itself around her waist from behind as she was buttering the toast.

She leaned into him, though she didn't turn around to look at him, still too shy to face him after their morning encounter.

He rested his chin on her shoulder as he watched her make his favourite breakfast for both of them - toast and juice.

A few moments later, he started placing kisses on the exposed skin on her neck and shoulder, making her set the finished toast down and clutch onto the counter for support.

"A-Arnavji, we're already late," she said, breathlessly.

Arnav spun her around in his arms as he answered, "I don't care - I own the bloody company." With that he started showering kisses all over her face.

Khushi clutched onto his collar as she said, "Hmmm... But my Laad governor boss is going to tell me off for being late!"

"What the?!" Arnav pulled back. "What did you call me?"

"Ummm... Arnavji," Khushi replied innocently.

Arnav shook his head as he pulled her closer, plastering her body to his, "You should write a book. 100 Ways to Spoil Romantic Moments' by Khushi Kumari Gupta."

He watched as her cheeks reddened and her lashes lowered, veiling those beautiful eyes.

He smirked in amusement before placing a quick kiss on her cheek, making her clutch his collar tighter and hide herself in the crook of his neck.

He smiled seeing her shyness, hugging her tighter.

Deciding to change the subject so she could feel more comfortable, he asked, "When did you buy this?"

"Buy what?" she asked, her lips brushing against his neck

"This suit?" he asked. "And who was it for?" he added, even though he had an idea that it would have been for him.

"I bought it for you 2 months ago..." she mumbled.

Though he had expected it to be for him, it still overwhelmed him when he heard it from her... No one had bothered to gift him anything in so long... After taking on the responsibility of his family at such a young age, he was forced to grow up too quick despite his age. He had learnt to look after himself and he wasn't used to so much care from anyone. So getting a gift from Khushi all of sudden stirred something in his heart.

But not wanting to show Khushi the wave of emotions he was feeling, he took hold of Khushi's shoulders and pulled away slightly to look at her face saying, "What the?! And you never gave it to me?"

"I bought it for you two months ago, but... never had the courage to give it to you... I didn't know if you'd accept it or not so..." Khushi said, looking at his collar as she spoke.

Arnav then understood what might have been going through that pretty little head of hers and decided to put an end to it at once.

"I'm only going to say this once Khushi, so you better listen carefully," he said, his ASR tone emerging as he lifted her chin up so he could meet her eyes.

"I don't let go of anything that is mine," he said. "Whether that's a person," he pulled her close possessively to emphasise his point, "or a mere suit," he finished, his breath washing over her lips.

"Understood Miss Gupta?" he asked, flicking her red nose.

Khushi simply nodded, still held captive by his intense gaze.

"Good," he said.

And then with a hint of a smile Arnav placed a peck on her lips before saying, "Then I think it's time for breakfast."

With that they both took their breakfast to the dining table to sit down and eat.

As they ate, Khushi couldn't help her thoughts which were lingering over all the events that had taken place between last night and now...

She felt a drastic change in their relationship and just the thought of it sent tingles down her spine.

This was the first time he had actually claimed her as his even if it was in an indirect way.

For the first time, she actually felt like he felt something for her that wasn't just platonic. All these days, she'd felt more like his friend than girlfriend. He was always so distant even when they were so close... And he never really opened up to her that much - it was always her who opened up about herself...

All this had always made her feel slightly insecure about their relationship - not about him going to any other girls, but just insecure about how strong their relationship was.

But for the first time, she felt like he actually felt something for her... There was just something she couldn't quite put her finger on with the way he kissed her and touched her today - there was lust, obviously, but there was also something else... But she couldn't find a word for it... It felt like... Appreciation... No, that's not the right word... Care? Nope, that's not it either... Admiration?... That didn't describe it either... But it was just something that made her feel like he actually felt for her...

She didn't know if she was doing the right thing by letting her heart hope... But what could she do? A heart that loves, doesn't listen to the words of the mind...

Her thoughts were interrupted when Arnav asked, "Done?"

That was when she looked down at her plate and realised that she was done eating and she hadn't even noticed.

"You okay?" Arnav asked, seeing her out of it for some reason.

Khushi nodded before taking his plate and glass with hers so that she could clean up quickly.

Just as she finished washing up and dried her hands, Arnav came up behind her and asked, "Ready?"

Khushi nodded, to which Arnav replied, "Okay let's go, you can come with me to office today."

He took a step towards the door when Khushi grabbed his arm, stopping.

"Arnavji... I need to say something..." she said, looking a little nervous.

"What is it Khushi?" Arnav asked, placing a hand on her shoulder, a little concerned now.

"About yesterday..." Arnav's eyes hardened immediately hearing that. He was about to open his mouth to retort, but Khushi beat him to it.

"I'm not going to ask you about it," she said, before taking a step forward and throwing her arms around his neck to hug him, taking him by surprise.

"I just wanted to say, everything is going to be okay..." she said softly, resting her chin on his shoulder as she tightened her hold on him.

Arnav didn't know how to describe the flood of emotions he felt in that moment. The woman in his arms was giving him all the things he had once yearned for, one by one.

How many times had he yearned for these very words when he had been struggling with life? How many times had he yearned for a simple hug of comfort from someone? How many times had he yearned for someone to pick him up when he fell?

When he'd yearned for all these things, no one had been there for him. Because everyone was too lost in their own grief.

But this woman in his arms, gave him everything without expecting anything in return.

He didn't need this hug now. Nor the words. But when he got them, he felt something inside of him melt...

Khushi felt Arnav's arms wrap themselves around her waist, moments later, pulling her close.

But it only lasted for a few seconds before he pulled back with no expression and said, "Let's go."

She followed him meekly, though slightly confused - not with his expressionless face but the hug.

Just before he'd pulled away, she'd felt the lightest touch on her hair, as though he'd kissed her hair gently. But it was so faint that she wasn't even sure if it had actually happened or not... Had she imagined it? Should she ask him?

No, she decided. This wasn't the time for that.

But she was happy that he'd responded to her words. Maybe he hadn't shown any expression on his face, but the way he reciprocated her hug showed that it meant something to him.

And that was enough for her.

Finally I finished writing this update! I've been trying to post this for 4 days now but when I wrote this update it just got longer and longer and longer!

Anyways how was it? Please do let me know with your likes/comments :)

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