ARSHI FF: DEEPLY CONNECTED (Chap 9 - Pg 49)(02/08) - Page 21

He sat down near her hoping she would open her eyes soon. On the other hand Aman was surprised feeling his phone silent. He for a minute wondered if his boss was turning in to a typical newly wedded. He let out a laugh and tried focusing at the work in hand without wanting to jinx his thoughts. Back at Raizada mansion he was still waiting for khushi to open her eyes. He had to explain his sister as well. She had turned down him when he had offered some explanation. His head was throbbing now. He was about to move to his room when she struggled to open her eyes. He rushed to her side and helped her sit up which she of course shrugged. He felt ashamed when he saw her eyes that were full of emotions so tired and her face which was colorful had become pale. Her lips had gone dry. He offered her water. Silence engulfed the room. He had his head lowered. For the first time Arnav Singh Raizada's eyes couldn't meet someone's. He was at fault. He had molded himself over the last few years to not apologize before anyone. His palms fisted in helplessness. His head throbbed more. She was still looking at him if he was fine. She did not care much either. She sighed and moved to the other side to get off the divan. He held her by her wrist. She struggled in his hold once again but this time around he let her go at her first attempt. She was surprised. Their eyes met. She could see the pain in his eyes and his forehead was creased with worry. Why was she observing so much she thought when she heard him speak

"Sorry" he mumbled.

She looked at him shocked. Her mouth opened and closed. He waited a couple of seconds hoping she would acknowledge but her expressions were only looking cute on the other hand. For a second he wanted to pull her cheeks. He mentally kicked himself and looked at her shutting off his thoughts

"Its fine" she answered curtly.

And got up from the bed and tried taking the next step when she stumbled a little. He held her immediately by her waist. His cold hands held her warm waist. His hold went tighter and she grabbed his shirt for support. Their eyes met. Both could feel sparks hitting them. The passion was building up. Their eyes did not leave the other either. His hands moved to tuck the already tucked hair and caressed her ears in process. They turned red with his touch. The clock chimed pulling them out from their position. He steadied himself and the blush had returned on her face. It was not looking pale anymore.

"Why did you get up? You need rest" he said trying to ease out things.

She looked at him sheepishly. She blushed more holding the loose edge of the pallu

"Ermm, I am hungry" she said feeling embarrassed.

He simple shook his head and scooped her off the feat giving her no chance to explain. She shook her legs up and down hoping he would leave her but he did not care this time. For a minute she couldn't help but stay against his body. It was roughly chiseled but perfectly hard to rest against. She was proud of his body. A sense of possessiveness swept her body. She heard herself saying mentally that he belonged to her whether they both liked it or not. He felt her calming down and adjusting herself to him. The feeling was wonderful. She weighed like silk ball for his strong arms. Her perfect waist and her silky hair which ran down his arms tickling him. He couldn't help but notice the sexual attraction that was already building up between them. He wanted the little journey from their room to the dining hall end. Finally he thought and helped her sit on one of the chairs. His sister had taken another seat. She smiled at them gingerly and blushed herself. But soon the smile disappeared when Arnav smiled at her. Her face turned grim. Khushi could feel the strain between the siblings. She was happy to see the way Anjali had accepted her already. Lunch was another silent affair but a heart filled one. Khushi excused herself saying she will walk and let the siblings have their lone time. Silence prevailed

"Di. Understand me. That was not my intention" he said hoping Anjali will hear him out.

"You better learn to accept things and control that anger of yours. Don't make it the reason to break your life. It did help you grow in to the great ASR you are but the same anger will ruin you Arnav" she said and ruffled his hair.

He nodded his head in response drove back to work. The clock ticked and he had immersed himself in work not wanting to reflect back on his sister's words. She indeed spoke the truth. His eyes burned and had turned red. He still wasn't in the mood to get back home. It was close to 10Pm. His eyes refused to focus anymore. Having no choice he drove back home. He entered his room and saw the French doors opening to the pool wide open. The chill winds felt like a relief to his suffocation. He saw a thin figure seated by the pool and her long tresses blowing against the wind. She looked ethereal from the room. So perfect he spelled. He walked to her voluntarily and tapped her back. She looked at him. There wasn't anger or any hatred. Something new he thought and smiled at her. He sat down next to her unbuttoning his vest and rolling up his sleeves.

"Do you see the stars up their Arnav ji" she chimed.

He looked up and did find them twinkling against the night sky. That was the first time he paid attention to the stars he thought and chuckled.

"Counting the stars are you" he asked smiling.

She could drown herself in that one smile she thought. Khushi sighed. She was clueless about their sudden closeness. Something held them close for now she thought.

"Talking to your parents" Khushi said still beaming at the stars.

His mouth opened. He looked at her and at the sky. He for a second started thinking did the hit affect her head.

"Don't glare at me that way. I know you don't believe in any of these. But I do. These stars that shine are the ones whom we loved but no more. But they do look upon us as stars. You see the two brightest one looking at us. They are your parents my in laws. Talking with them" she said dreamily.

He couldn't understand the emotion that choked his heart. She was talking with his parents. He definitely did not understand her theory behind the stars but he loved this theory of hers. He felt happy to stare at his parents who were shining right above his pool. The place he loved the most in this huge mansion. He did not want to mellow down either. He sat next to her and they gazed at the stars together.

"Maybe the other two twinkling ones near these two should be your parents" he spoke dreamily.

Her face darkened. She did not know why he was so stubborn about them. Every time she spoke about his parents he brought the other two people together. She looked down at the pool for a few seconds and stood up.

"Why is it that our every single conversation has to end with them always?"

She never cried while talking about them but today he saw a sheet of wetness in her eyes. Maybe he can still get her to understand things he thought. He forwarded his hands

"Friends" he spoke calm.

She shook her head positive and their hands met for a few seconds. Both walked back to their respective rooms not thinking about what happened minutes back near the pool.

--- To be continued ---