Arshi FF - A Heart That Loves... (Chapter 10 on Thread 2, 29/01/17) - Page 46

Arnav feels bad if he is called Sir instead of Arnavji by Khushi and how conveniently Arnav forgot what he said to Khushi.. loved Khushi and she needs to stand strongly against the great ASR.. loved the update..

Good to see you back dear...

poor khushi..he hurted her so much..she gave it back by ignoring him..he needs to realise and repents his ways..my fav kc scene with your touch..loved it...

Khushi is giving arnav a taste of his own medicine.

A Heart That Loves - Chapter 7

Before he could say anything, Khushi said, "It's past office hours Sir. It's wrong for me to be here, in your personal space at this time. We can discuss work tomorrow morning if you need to. Please let me go now Sir."

Arnav felt another blow at her words. Why was she speaking as if they shared no other relationship other than that of a boss and PA.

Had he really hurt her to that extent that he'd managed to break what they had together?

Was it so easy for her to forget all those moments, hugs, and kisses they'd shared? How could she talk to him so formally?' he thought.

As if those moments meant anything to YOU,' his conscience mocked him. You were the one who told her that she had no rights over you. You basically implied that she meant nothing to you! And now you are sad that she has taken your words seriously and has acted upon them?' His guilty conscience made him realise that all this was because of his own mistake.

If he was the one to create the mess, then he would be the one rectify them too, he decided.

"Khushi," he called, softly.

**********************************************************

"I... I... Yesterday..." Arnav just couldn't get the word sorry' out of his mouth.

"Sir please, I need to leave," insisted Khushi.

Yesterday, when he'd thrown those harsh words at her, Khushi hadn't really been angry with him. In fact, she held nothing against him at all.

After all, he'd told her right from the beginning that he'll never love her and nor will he ever marry her.

He'd never ever given her false hopes, and she knew that it was her own fault for harbouring any feelings for him. In a way, he had been right - she didn't really have rights over him, not as a lover anyways.

But it had hurt that she wasn't at least a friend to him either. Surely the moments they shared had at least a little effect on him? Maybe not as a lover, but at least as a friend?

She should have been angry with him for treating her like trash, but she couldn't because she knew he had been clear from the beginning about his intentions.

But when she'd seen him at the temple, asking her if she was okay, she lost it. She'd accepted the fact that he'd hurt her. But she couldn't control her anger when he had the nerve to actually ask if she was okay after he'd broken her heart into pieces the previous day. Maybe he didn't know he broke her heart because she hadn't told him that she loved him, but his words were such that they could have hurt anyone. And he didn't even have the decency to apologise to her before coming and speaking to her again!

But then again, he was Arnav Singh Raizada. And he didn't apologise to anyone.

But just because he was ASR, she wasn't ready to let him trample all over her like this. And so she'd decided that from then, she would maintain her distance with him. Because the closer she let him, the more it hurt when he pushed her away.

That's why even when she saw him trying to pacify her, she still insisted to go home, completely ignoring his attempt.

"Khushi listen," he almost pleaded. "I... I... Yesterday... That shouldn't have happened..." Arnav still couldn't say sorry.'

Khushi sighed. "It's okay..." she gave in, understanding that he was feeling guilty and he was at least trying to apologise.

She knew that itself, admitting his mistake, was a big thing for him. And so she decided to forgive him. "I forgive you," she said, and she saw his eyes instantly light up as he heard those words.

"Sir, at least now let me leave. Please."

The lightness in his eyes disappeared as quickly as it came.

"Yeh kya Sir Sir laga rakha hai tumne? Arnav bolo. Ya phir - vo kya pukharthi ho mujhe? Haan, Arnavji. Mujhe Arnavji bulao. Voh bhi pasand nahi hai, toh voh kya bulathi ho mujhe, mere peeche? Oh haan Laad governor. Bas Sir mat bulao. (What is this Sir Sir? Call me Arnav. Or else - what is it that you call me? Yh, Arnavji. Call me Arnavji. If you don't like that as well, then what is it that you call me behind my back? Oh yh, laad governor. Just don't call me Sir.)"

Khushi sighed. "Okay, Mr ASR. Now that I'm not calling you Sir' can you please finally let me go?"

"What the hell Khushi? Why are you being so formal?! Are you doing this on purpose to irritate me?" Arnav asked, frustrated.

"Mr ASR, there's nothing to be so irritated about here. You are my boss and I'm your PA. I'm just calling you what a normal PA would call her boss," she replied calmly.

"But you're my girlfriend damn it!" he retorted.

"A girlfriend with no rights over her boyfriend. A girlfriend who is practically a nobody to her boyfriend. A girlfriend who holds no more meaning than a mere servant to her boyfriend."

Arnav shut his eyes, feeling guilty for spewing those words. His one thoughtless sentence had caused his lovely Khushi so much pain.

"Khushi maine kaha tha na... main... main galat tha... Or tumne mujhe maaf bhi kardiya. Toh kyun bar bar ussi shabdon ko mere khilaaf use kar rahe ho? (Khushi I told you right... I... I was wrong... And you've forgiven me as well. So why are you using those words against me again and again?)" Arnav asked.

"Aapne galthi toh maanli lekin yeh bhi toh nahin kaha na? Ki hume aap par haq hai. Jo aapne kaha or jese aapne kaha, voh galat tha. Or aap yeh baat maangaye. Lekin aapne yeh nahin kahan ki hume aap par haq hai. Or jab hume aap par koi haq hi nahi hai, toh hum aapko apne naamse kaise pukhar sakthe hain? (You've admitted you're mistake but you didn't say this right? That I do have rights on you? Whatever you said and the way you said it, was wrong. And you admitted that. But you didn't say that I had rights on you. And when I don't have any rights on you, then how can I call you by your name?)"

Arnav was about to retort but Khushi interrupted.

"Okay, leave that. Why does it even matter to you if I call you Sir or Arnavji? Kya farak padtha hai? (What difference does it make?)"

Arnav was speechless.

Why does it matter to me?' he asked himself, silently. Why did it bother him that she wasn't addressing him so closely anymore?

He knew that Khushi meant something to him, but he'd never intended to feel this connected to her.

She just seemed to have crept up on him in this one year, without him even knowing.

But that still didn't answer his question of why it made a difference to him? What was she to him? A friend? A girlfriend?

She didn't fit into those categories fully because though she was a friend to him, he still never let her know him too personally. And the same goes for girlfriend too. So what was she to him? What did she mean to him?

All these questions were swirling around his head when Khushi said, "I know you won't be able to answer that question Arnavji. And that's why I'm calling you Mr ASR. The day you find the answer to that question, maybe I'll start calling you Arnavji again."

With that the lift doors closed and Khushi disappeared behind them.

"What the?! Wait! Khushi!"

But it was too late.

That was when he realised that while he'd been lost in his thoughts, Khushi had managed to press the button beside the elevator and get it opened. She was already inside the lift when she started speaking again, and before he could realise anything, the lift doors had shut and she was on her way down to the ground floor.

Arnav didn't attempt to run behind her, because he knew it was useless. He was very angry that she'd left him while the conversation was still incomplete. But he didn't want to shout at her again and make things worse between.

He had no idea why he was taking so much care in handling this issue. But something told him that he didn't want to make this situation worse and that he wanted her with him... And he listened to it.

It was just starting to get dark, but he knew she could get home safely by herself.

Oh sh*t!' he swore.

Just then he remembered that she still hadn't eaten anything, and she must be really weak. At the temple, she almost fainted twice and he'd been there to catch her. What if something happened to her on her way home?

Damn it!' he cursed himself for being so careless, as he ran into the other lift.

Luckily for him he had a fast travel' button in all his lifts that only he could use. It was designed for occasions like this when he was in an emergency and he needed to get somewhere fast.

He pressed the button, almost certain that he'll reach the ground floor just a second or two before Khushi.

As soon as he got out, he checked the other lift and saw that it was still 4 floors away.

He quickly called Aman.

"Aman I want 3 different vegetarian meals with jalebis sent to AR right now! If it doesn't arrive within the next 10 minutes, you're fired!" he ordered.

"Okay ASR," Aman replied meekly, knowing that arguing with him when he was in an irritable mood will only cause himself damage.

As soon ASR hung up Aman fumbled with his phone, frantically trying to follow ASR's order.

Meanwhile, Khushi who was just about to get out of the lift, felt her head spin slightly as she stepped forward and got out of the lift.

Speaking to Arnav like that had drained her of her energy. Having stayed hungry the whole day, she felt very weak all of a sudden and became unsteady on her feet.

Before she knew it, everything went black.

Arnav, who'd seen it all happening, caught her just in time before she fell - for the third time that day, I might add.

Although he was concerned for her, he was glad in a way that she fainted this time because it made it easier for him to take her back to the penthouse as she wouldn't be arguing back.

He could tell how tired she was just by looking at her face.

While he held her by the waist with one hand, leaning her onto his own body, he caressed the dark circles under her eyes gently.

All of this was because of him, he knew. Not just him hurting her yesterday, but also her fasting for him.

She may have said at the temple that the right to break her fast only belonged to her future husband, which wasn't him. But something told him that although she uttered those words, she was fasting for him today. He knew her that much at least.

All the hardships she'd faced in the last 24 hours was all because of him only, he knew. He may not believe in these rituals, but it didn't mean that he didn't appreciate her staying hungry for his long-life. Yes, he found the whole idea stupid. But she believed in it and actually stayed for him. And deep down, he did appreciate her effort.

He placed a tender kiss on her temple before picking her up and taking her back into the lift, so that he could take her back into the penthouse.

When he got there, he gently placed her on the bed to lie down for the moment.

He knew there were still 5 minutes or so until dinner would arrive. In that little gap, he went to the dining table and arranged everything so that there was plenty of space for him to place the dishes when they arrive.

He made sure everything was set up before quickly checking on Khushi to see that she was still unconscious, and then going down to collect dinner.

Just as he got out of the lift, he saw the watchman come in with lots of bags.

Arnav took the bags from the watchman before going back up to the penthouse.

Luckily Khushi was still not up then.

He quickly took all the food out and arranged it on the dining table.

Once he was done, he went back into the bedroom and picked up a still unconscious Khushi, and set off to the dining table.

He considered sitting her on a chair, but then thought, What if she falls?'

So instead of putting her on a chair, he sat down on a chair himself and placed her on his lap so that her right shoulder was pressed against the left side of his chest, and she was facing the wall.

He took some water and flicked it on her face, causing her to open her eyes a few moments later.

She was feeling very disorientated he knew.

He didn't give her time to adjust to her surroundings - he just took a morsel from the first meal slowly and held it up to her mouth, gently urging her to open her mouth, which she did and she ate the morsel.

He didn't want her to see him and then start fighting. He wanted her to have at least a little bit of food inside her before she started to argue with him - if she decided to do so that is.

And so he kept feeding her slowly, morsel by morsel...

After a minute or two, Khushi started to become aware of her surroundings...

She realised she was at Arnav's penthouse, and he was feeding her food, while she was sitting on his lap...

Wait what?!' she thought.

She took a proper look around and understood what was happening.

She tried to get off Arnav's lap, but he simple tightened his hold on her and said gently, "Shhh, relax Khushi..."

And relax she did.

She didn't know why she did, but the tone he used... so tender and caring... she just couldn't resist. After all, no matter how angry she was with him, nothing could change the fact that she loved him...

Just this one time,' she thought to herself. She would allow herself to revel in his care this one time, she told herself.

"You haven't eaten anything the whole day Khushi, so eat now," he urged her softly as he held another morsel up to her mouth.

She opened her mouth, just watching Arnav as he fed her with an affectionate expression on his face.

When she coughed suddenly, Arnav hurriedly picked up the glass of water and made her drink it slowly, stroking the middle of her chest to help ease the coughing.

He was pampering her like a baby, and Khushi just couldn't take her eyes off Arnav's face as he kept feeding her.

Before she knew it, she had already eaten two out of the three meals.

That was when she started feeling full, so she denied the next morsel shaking her head.

Arnav put that morsel down and started taking out the desserts.

It was only when he held the first piece of jalebi up to her mouth that it hit her that Arnav must not have eaten dinner too.

Not opening her mouth, she picked up a morsel from the third meal and held it up to his mouth, gesturing with her eyes that she'll only eat her dessert if he had his dinner.

Complying, he ate the morsel off her hands while feeling her the jalebi.

He finished his dinner and she finished her jalebis this way, feeding each other.

When they finally finished, Khushi got up from his lap slowly and started clearing up the dining table. Arnav got up too and helped her.

Once they'd finished with the clearing up, looking down at the floor, Khushi said softly, "Thank you... I... should get going now..."

She was about to leave, when Arnav held her hand, stopping her.

"Don't go..." he said, his voice unintentionally turning husky. "It's dark now... And you just fainted not too long ago..."

Khushi was going to retort to that last sentence but he continued, "I know you've eaten now, but I'm still not happy to let you go by yourself like this. What if you get ill after getting to your apartment? Or what if you faint again? Just... stay for tonight..." he said.

Khushi just looked at the floor, searching for answers. She didn't know whether to say yes or no... Would it be right? She turned red at the thought of staying with him for the night. But wouldn't that be against her morals? Yes, that night when he'd been drunk they'd shared the bed but that was because he needed the support and care... This was different...

She just stood there, looking at the floor, with a battle raging inside her.

Seeing her not move from her position for a few moments, Arnav just took her silence as a yes and picked her up into his arms, and took her into the bedroom, taking her by surprise. Khushi was extremely hesitant with this whole arrangement, but she didn't protest. She trusted him.

He placed her on the bed when he realised that she was still in her saree and him in his office suit.

He knew it would be uncomfortable for her to sleep in her saree so he went to the cupboard and found a pair of his track-pants and t-shirt.

Going up to her, he said, "I know it must be uncomfortable to sleep in that... Bathroom is over there. These clothes are the best I can provide you with right now...?" He ended the sentence almost like a question because he himself was unsure if he was doing the right thing offering a girl male-clothes.

She took the clothes saying, "Thank you," and headed for the bathroom, without a single complaint.

While Khushi changed in the bathroom, Arnav quickly changed his clothes in the bedroom too.

After settling everything down, they both headed to the bed.

Just as Khushi had got into bed, Arnav hesitated.

"I can take the sofa in the sitting room if you feel uncomfortable..." he offered.

"This is your penthouse... Your bed... Anyways it's okay, I trust you..."

He instantly looked up at that, not having expected her to say something like that.

Feeling happy inside, though not showing it on his face, he silently got into the bed on the other side, making sure to leave a big gap between them.

He switched off the lights before closing his eyes to sleep.

It was a good 5 minutes later that something occurred to him.

Khushi was scared of the dark!

And he'd thoughtlessly turned the lights off!

To top it off, there was no night lamp in the room that he could use.

"Sh*t!" he swore under his breath.

He turned around to see if Khushi was okay. In the darkness he couldn't see too much, but he could tell that she had curled up into a ball, and she was very slightly shivering.

Damn it!' he thought. How could he be so careless?!

He immediately went closer to Khushi and took her into his arms, her back touching his chest, as he murmured, "It's okay, it's okay. I'm here..."

Khushi immediately turned around in his arms and threw herself into his chest, clutching his collar as she buried her head into his chest.

He wrapped his arms around her securely, rubbing his hand up and down her back, trying to give her comfort. "This is my fault," he said. "Do you want me to turn the lights back on?"

Khushi shook her head.

He'd expected that answer. He knew she couldn't sleep in full on light either. She could only sleep with a night lamp on.

He could turn the living door light on, since the light would shine through into the bedroom, but the ray would be too much since there was no door separating it. It would be just as bright as putting the bedroom light on.

That's when it occurred to him that he had his phone next to him.

He removed one arm from her, causing her to tighten her arms around him.

"Relax," he said, gently rubbing her back. "I'm just getting my phone so we can have some light."

Khushi nodded, letting him know that she understood, though she didn't loosen her arms around him nor did she move from her current position.

Arnav took his phone out and unlocked it, causing the light to spread across the room.

"Ab teek hai? (Is it okay now?)" he asked.

Khushi slowly opened her eyes and lifted her head up, to see the light reflecting on Arnav's face.

She saw how Arnav was looking at her with concern, a softness in his eyes... All for her...

Gazing into his eyes, she nodded, mesmerised by his eyes.

Arnav changed the setting on his phone so that his phone wouldn't get locked until another 20 minutes, which was the maximum time he could set it to.

Feeling lighter now, Khushi started moving back, out of his arms, when Arnav pulled her back with the hand that was already around her.

Placing the phone above him on the pillow, with the screen facing up, he put his now free hand on the back of Khushi's head, gently laying her head on his chest.

"Sleep," he told her tenderly. "I'm here," he stroked her head affectionately while keeping the other hand around her securely.

Khushi just couldn't get herself to say no to this. Just this one time,' she told herself while she gradually felt sleep take over her as she felt more than comfortable in the warmth of the man she loved...

And Arnav was no less... He had no idea why he was being this way with Khushi... But right now, he just wanted to live in the moment and enjoy it without questioning anything...

He also felt his eye lids get heavy while he reveled in the warmth of Khushi... His Khushi...

And soon, they both drifted off to sleep...

Sleep filled with sweet dreams and lots of happy endings...

So guys... How was it? I know many of you wanted Arnav to apologise to Khushi and woo her back, but... he's just not at that stage yet. He does love her, but he's nowhere near realising it yet, and he's still nowhere near giving up his ego yet... This Arnav a bit more stubborn and tough compared to the Arnav in MIMP, so don't expect sorrys to be floating about just yet 😉

Anyways what did you guys think about this update? Please let me know with your likes/comments. Your response is my motivation 😊

Superb Update

Originally posted by: amira039.303

A Heart That Loves - Chapter 7

Before he could say anything, Khushi said, "It's past office hours Sir. It's wrong for me to be here, in your personal space at this time. We can discuss work tomorrow morning if you need to. Please let me go now Sir."

Arnav felt another blow at her words. Why was she speaking as if they shared no other relationship other than that of a boss and PA.

Had he really hurt her to that extent that he'd managed to break what they had together?

Was it so easy for her to forget all those moments, hugs, and kisses they'd shared? How could she talk to him so formally?' he thought.

As if those moments meant anything to YOU,' his conscience mocked him. You were the one who told her that she had no rights over you. You basically implied that she meant nothing to you! And now you are sad that she has taken your words seriously and has acted upon them?' His guilty conscience made him realise that all this was because of his own mistake.

If he was the one to create the mess, then he would be the one rectify them too, he decided.

"Khushi," he called, softly.

**********************************************************

"I... I... Yesterday..." Arnav just couldn't get the word sorry' out of his mouth.

"Sir please, I need to leave," insisted Khushi.

Yesterday, when he'd thrown those harsh words at her, Khushi hadn't really been angry with him. In fact, she held nothing against him at all.

After all, he'd told her right from the beginning that he'll never love her and nor will he ever marry her.

He'd never ever given her false hopes, and she knew that it was her own fault for harbouring any feelings for him. In a way, he had been right - she didn't really have rights over him, not as a lover anyways.

But it had hurt that she wasn't at least a friend to him either. Surely the moments they shared had at least a little effect on him? Maybe not as a lover, but at least as a friend?

She should have been angry with him for treating her like trash, but she couldn't because she knew he had been clear from the beginning about his intentions.

But when she'd seen him at the temple, asking her if she was okay, she lost it. She'd accepted the fact that he'd hurt her. But she couldn't control her anger when he had the nerve to actually ask if she was okay after he'd broken her heart into pieces the previous day. Maybe he didn't know he broke her heart because she hadn't told him that she loved him, but his words were such that they could have hurt anyone. And he didn't even have the decency to apologise to her before coming and speaking to her again!

But then again, he was Arnav Singh Raizada. And he didn't apologise to anyone.

But just because he was ASR, she wasn't ready to let him trample all over her like this. And so she'd decided that from then, she would maintain her distance with him. Because the closer she let him, the more it hurt when he pushed her away.

That's why even when she saw him trying to pacify her, she still insisted to go home, completely ignoring his attempt.

"Khushi listen," he almost pleaded. "I... I... Yesterday... That shouldn't have happened..." Arnav still couldn't say sorry.'

Khushi sighed. "It's okay..." she gave in, understanding that he was feeling guilty and he was at least trying to apologise.

She knew that itself, admitting his mistake, was a big thing for him. And so she decided to forgive him. "I forgive you," she said, and she saw his eyes instantly light up as he heard those words.

"Sir, at least now let me leave. Please."

The lightness in his eyes disappeared as quickly as it came.

"Yeh kya Sir Sir laga rakha hai tumne? Arnav bolo. Ya phir - vo kya pukharthi ho mujhe? Haan, Arnavji. Mujhe Arnavji bulao. Voh bhi pasand nahi hai, toh voh kya bulathi ho mujhe, mere peeche? Oh haan Laad governor. Bas Sir mat bulao. (What is this Sir Sir? Call me Arnav. Or else - what is it that you call me? Yh, Arnavji. Call me Arnavji. If you don't like that as well, then what is it that you call me behind my back? Oh yh, laad governor. Just don't call me Sir.)"

Khushi sighed. "Okay, Mr ASR. Now that I'm not calling you Sir' can you please finally let me go?"

"What the hell Khushi? Why are you being so formal?! Are you doing this on purpose to irritate me?" Arnav asked, frustrated.

"Mr ASR, there's nothing to be so irritated about here. You are my boss and I'm your PA. I'm just calling you what a normal PA would call her boss," she replied calmly.

"But you're my girlfriend damn it!" he retorted.

"A girlfriend with no rights over her boyfriend. A girlfriend who is practically a nobody to her boyfriend. A girlfriend who holds no more meaning than a mere servant to her boyfriend."

Arnav shut his eyes, feeling guilty for spewing those words. His one thoughtless sentence had caused his lovely Khushi so much pain.

"Khushi maine kaha tha na... main... main galat tha... Or tumne mujhe maaf bhi kardiya. Toh kyun bar bar ussi shabdon ko mere khilaaf use kar rahe ho? (Khushi I told you right... I... I was wrong... And you've forgiven me as well. So why are you using those words against me again and again?)" Arnav asked.

"Aapne galthi toh maanli lekin yeh bhi toh nahin kaha na? Ki hume aap par haq hai. Jo aapne kaha or jese aapne kaha, voh galat tha. Or aap yeh baat maangaye. Lekin aapne yeh nahin kahan ki hume aap par haq hai. Or jab hume aap par koi haq hi nahi hai, toh hum aapko apne naamse kaise pukhar sakthe hain? (You've admitted you're mistake but you didn't say this right? That I do have rights on you? Whatever you said and the way you said it, was wrong. And you admitted that. But you didn't say that I had rights on you. And when I don't have any rights on you, then how can I call you by your name?)"

Arnav was about to retort but Khushi interrupted.

"Okay, leave that. Why does it even matter to you if I call you Sir or Arnavji? Kya farak padtha hai? (What difference does it make?)"

Arnav was speechless.

Why does it matter to me?' he asked himself, silently. Why did it bother him that she wasn't addressing him so closely anymore?

He knew that Khushi meant something to him, but he'd never intended to feel this connected to her.

She just seemed to have crept up on him in this one year, without him even knowing.

But that still didn't answer his question of why it made a difference to him? What was she to him? A friend? A girlfriend?

She didn't fit into those categories fully because though she was a friend to him, he still never let her know him too personally. And the same goes for girlfriend too. So what was she to him? What did she mean to him?

All these questions were swirling around his head when Khushi said, "I know you won't be able to answer that question Arnavji. And that's why I'm calling you Mr ASR. The day you find the answer to that question, maybe I'll start calling you Arnavji again."

With that the lift doors closed and Khushi disappeared behind them.

"What the?! Wait! Khushi!"

But it was too late.

That was when he realised that while he'd been lost in his thoughts, Khushi had managed to press the button beside the elevator and get it opened. She was already inside the lift when she started speaking again, and before he could realise anything, the lift doors had shut and she was on her way down to the ground floor.

Arnav didn't attempt to run behind her, because he knew it was useless. He was very angry that she'd left him while the conversation was still incomplete. But he didn't want to shout at her again and make things worse between.

He had no idea why he was taking so much care in handling this issue. But something told him that he didn't want to make this situation worse and that he wanted her with him... And he listened to it.

It was just starting to get dark, but he knew she could get home safely by herself.

Oh sh*t!' he swore.

Just then he remembered that she still hadn't eaten anything, and she must be really weak. At the temple, she almost fainted twice and he'd been there to catch her. What if something happened to her on her way home?

Damn it!' he cursed himself for being so careless, as he ran into the other lift.

Luckily for him he had a fast travel' button in all his lifts that only he could use. It was designed for occasions like this when he was in an emergency and he needed to get somewhere fast.

He pressed the button, almost certain that he'll reach the ground floor just a second or two before Khushi.

As soon as he got out, he checked the other lift and saw that it was still 4 floors away.

He quickly called Aman.

"Aman I want 3 different vegetarian meals with jalebis sent to AR right now! If it doesn't arrive within the next 10 minutes, you're fired!" he ordered.

"Okay ASR," Aman replied meekly, knowing that arguing with him when he was in an irritable mood will only cause himself damage.

As soon ASR hung up Aman fumbled with his phone, frantically trying to follow ASR's order.

Meanwhile, Khushi who was just about to get out of the lift, felt her head spin slightly as she stepped forward and got out of the lift.

Speaking to Arnav like that had drained her of her energy. Having stayed hungry the whole day, she felt very weak all of a sudden and became unsteady on her feet.

Before she knew it, everything went black.

Arnav, who'd seen it all happening, caught her just in time before she fell - for the third time that day, I might add.

Although he was concerned for her, he was glad in a way that she fainted this time because it made it easier for him to take her back to the penthouse as she wouldn't be arguing back.

He could tell how tired she was just by looking at her face.

While he held her by the waist with one hand, leaning her onto his own body, he caressed the dark circles under her eyes gently.

All of this was because of him, he knew. Not just him hurting her yesterday, but also her fasting for him.

She may have said at the temple that the right to break her fast only belonged to her future husband, which wasn't him. But something told him that although she uttered those words, she was fasting for him today. He knew her that much at least.

All the hardships she'd faced in the last 24 hours was all because of him only, he knew. He may not believe in these rituals, but it didn't mean that he didn't appreciate her staying hungry for his long-life. Yes, he found the whole idea stupid. But she believed in it and actually stayed for him. And deep down, he did appreciate her effort.

He placed a tender kiss on her temple before picking her up and taking her back into the lift, so that he could take her back into the penthouse.

When he got there, he gently placed her on the bed to lie down for the moment.

He knew there were still 5 minutes or so until dinner would arrive. In that little gap, he went to the dining table and arranged everything so that there was plenty of space for him to place the dishes when they arrive.

He made sure everything was set up before quickly checking on Khushi to see that she was still unconscious, and then going down to collect dinner.

Just as he got out of the lift, he saw the watchman come in with lots of bags.

Arnav took the bags from the watchman before going back up to the penthouse.

Luckily Khushi was still not up then.

He quickly took all the food out and arranged it on the dining table.

Once he was done, he went back into the bedroom and picked up a still unconscious Khushi, and set off to the dining table.

He considered sitting her on a chair, but then thought, What if she falls?'

So instead of putting her on a chair, he sat down on a chair himself and placed her on his lap so that her right shoulder was pressed against the left side of his chest, and she was facing the wall.

He took some water and flicked it on her face, causing her to open her eyes a few moments later.

She was feeling very disorientated he knew.

He didn't give her time to adjust to her surroundings - he just took a morsel from the first meal slowly and held it up to her mouth, gently urging her to open her mouth, which she did and she ate the morsel.

He didn't want her to see him and then start fighting. He wanted her to have at least a little bit of food inside her before she started to argue with him - if she decided to do so that is.

And so he kept feeding her slowly, morsel by morsel...

After a minute or two, Khushi started to become aware of her surroundings...

She realised she was at Arnav's penthouse, and he was feeding her food, while she was sitting on his lap...

Wait what?!' she thought.

She took a proper look around and understood what was happening.

She tried to get off Arnav's lap, but he simple tightened his hold on her and said gently, "Shhh, relax Khushi..."

And relax she did.

She didn't know why she did, but the tone he used... so tender and caring... she just couldn't resist. After all, no matter how angry she was with him, nothing could change the fact that she loved him...

Just this one time,' she thought to herself. She would allow herself to revel in his care this one time, she told herself.

"You haven't eaten anything the whole day Khushi, so eat now," he urged her softly as he held another morsel up to her mouth.

She opened her mouth, just watching Arnav as he fed her with an affectionate expression on his face.

When she coughed suddenly, Arnav hurriedly picked up the glass of water and made her drink it slowly, stroking the middle of her chest to help ease the coughing.

He was pampering her like a baby, and Khushi just couldn't take her eyes off Arnav's face as he kept feeding her.

Before she knew it, she had already eaten two out of the three meals.

That was when she started feeling full, so she denied the next morsel shaking her head.

Arnav put that morsel down and started taking out the desserts.

It was only when he held the first piece of jalebi up to her mouth that it hit her that Arnav must not have eaten dinner too.

Not opening her mouth, she picked up a morsel from the third meal and held it up to his mouth, gesturing with her eyes that she'll only eat her dessert if he had his dinner.

Complying, he ate the morsel off her hands while feeling her the jalebi.

He finished his dinner and she finished her jalebis this way, feeding each other.

When they finally finished, Khushi got up from his lap slowly and started clearing up the dining table. Arnav got up too and helped her.

Once they'd finished with the clearing up, looking down at the floor, Khushi said softly, "Thank you... I... should get going now..."

She was about to leave, when Arnav held her hand, stopping her.

"Don't go..." he said, his voice unintentionally turning husky. "It's dark now... And you just fainted not too long ago..."

Khushi was going to retort to that last sentence but he continued, "I know you've eaten now, but I'm still not happy to let you go by yourself like this. What if you get ill after getting to your apartment? Or what if you faint again? Just... stay for tonight..." he said.

Khushi just looked at the floor, searching for answers. She didn't know whether to say yes or no... Would it be right? She turned red at the thought of staying with him for the night. But wouldn't that be against her morals? Yes, that night when he'd been drunk they'd shared the bed but that was because he needed the support and care... This was different...

She just stood there, looking at the floor, with a battle raging inside her.

Seeing her not move from her position for a few moments, Arnav just took her silence as a yes and picked her up into his arms, and took her into the bedroom, taking her by surprise. Khushi was extremely hesitant with this whole arrangement, but she didn't protest. She trusted him.

He placed her on the bed when he realised that she was still in her saree and him in his office suit.

He knew it would be uncomfortable for her to sleep in her saree so he went to the cupboard and found a pair of his track-pants and t-shirt.

Going up to her, he said, "I know it must be uncomfortable to sleep in that... Bathroom is over there. These clothes are the best I can provide you with right now...?" He ended the sentence almost like a question because he himself was unsure if he was doing the right thing offering a girl male-clothes.

She took the clothes saying, "Thank you," and headed for the bathroom, without a single complaint.

While Khushi changed in the bathroom, Arnav quickly changed his clothes in the bedroom too.

After settling everything down, they both headed to the bed.

Just as Khushi had got into bed, Arnav hesitated.

"I can take the sofa in the sitting room if you feel uncomfortable..." he offered.

"This is your penthouse... Your bed... Anyways it's okay, I trust you..."

He instantly looked up at that, not having expected her to say something like that.

Feeling happy inside, though not showing it on his face, he silently got into the bed on the other side, making sure to leave a big gap between them.

He switched off the lights before closing his eyes to sleep.

It was a good 5 minutes later that something occurred to him.

Khushi was scared of the dark!

And he'd thoughtlessly turned the lights off!

To top it off, there was no night lamp in the room that he could use.

"Sh*t!" he swore under his breath.

He turned around to see if Khushi was okay. In the darkness he couldn't see too much, but he could tell that she had curled up into a ball, and she was very slightly shivering.

Damn it!' he thought. How could he be so careless?!

He immediately went closer to Khushi and took her into his arms, her back touching his chest, as he murmured, "It's okay, it's okay. I'm here..."

Khushi immediately turned around in his arms and threw herself into his chest, clutching his collar as she buried her head into his chest.

He wrapped his arms around her securely, rubbing his hand up and down her back, trying to give her comfort. "This is my fault," he said. "Do you want me to turn the lights back on?"

Khushi shook her head.

He'd expected that answer. He knew she couldn't sleep in full on light either. She could only sleep with a night lamp on.

He could turn the living door light on, since the light would shine through into the bedroom, but the ray would be too much since there was no door separating it. It would be just as bright as putting the bedroom light on.

That's when it occurred to him that he had his phone next to him.

He removed one arm from her, causing her to tighten her arms around him.

"Relax," he said, gently rubbing her back. "I'm just getting my phone so we can have some light."

Khushi nodded, letting him know that she understood, though she didn't loosen her arms around him nor did she move from her current position.

Arnav took his phone out and unlocked it, causing the light to spread across the room.

"Ab teek hai? (Is it okay now?)" he asked.

Khushi slowly opened her eyes and lifted her head up, to see the light reflecting on Arnav's face.

She saw how Arnav was looking at her with concern, a softness in his eyes... All for her...

Gazing into his eyes, she nodded, mesmerised by his eyes.

Arnav changed the setting on his phone so that his phone wouldn't get locked until another 20 minutes, which was the maximum time he could set it to.

Feeling lighter now, Khushi started moving back, out of his arms, when Arnav pulled her back with the hand that was already around her.

Placing the phone above him on the pillow, with the screen facing up, he put his now free hand on the back of Khushi's head, gently laying her head on his chest.

"Sleep," he told her tenderly. "I'm here," he stroked her head affectionately while keeping the other hand around her securely.

Khushi just couldn't get herself to say no to this. Just this one time,' she told herself while she gradually felt sleep take over her as she felt more than comfortable in the warmth of the man she loved...

And Arnav was no less... He had no idea why he was being this way with Khushi... But right now, he just wanted to live in the moment and enjoy it without questioning anything...

He also felt his eye lids get heavy while he reveled in the warmth of Khushi... His Khushi...

And soon, they both drifted off to sleep...

Sleep filled with sweet dreams and lots of happy endings...

So guys... How was it? I know many of you wanted Arnav to apologise to Khushi and woo her back, but... he's just not at that stage yet. He does love her, but he's nowhere near realising it yet, and he's still nowhere near giving up his ego yet... This Arnav a bit more stubborn and tough compared to the Arnav in MIMP, so don't expect sorrys to be floating about just yet 😉

Anyways what did you guys think about this update? Please let me know with your likes/comments. Your response is my motivation 😊

Sweetie pie,a damn cute n a heart touching update. U have realistically portrayed the feelings of a man who is in love n dependent on a woman but quite unaware of his feelings and highly confused with his nature. It's like the state of a child who is partly willing n unwilling to share his lollipop with his Friend. And this khushi is perfect for this confused arrogant arnav in all ways. Instead of the serial khushi , she knows to tame Him and guide Him the proper path too!!!!!

hope he shed his ego soon and realize his feeling

Loved chapter 7 👏
Arnav is in love but hasn't realised, love the care displayed by Arnav 😃
Eager for the next part 😃
Thank you for the pm beforehand 😃