KHUSHI by Maya (EPISODE 005)
A COMPLIANT KHUSHI was an unfamiliar sight to Arnav Singh Raizada. So when she turned towards him"thali in one hand, water tumbler in the other---and asked with a soft smile, "where will you eat?" he was naturally suspicious. He was certain that five seconds earlier she had been on the brink of eruption.
Placing his hands at her waist, Arnav swiftly lifted her so she was seated on the edge of the kitchen counter. A half-gasp escaped her lips and the rest of that gasp followed when he closed the gap between them. Her knees met his abdomen. They were eye to eye.
He removed the water tumbler from her, freeing up her right hand which he guided to the thali for the task ahead.
"I'm hungry, Khushi," he urged.
A brief flash of hesitation crossed her features, but she formed a small morsel with her fingers and brought it slowly towards his lips. Her coy manner was stimulating.
But why then did he feel a trap was laid?
"Arnavji?" she posed in a silky tone, as he opened his mouth to receive the first bite. He leaned slightly forward, but she held her fingers back and asked, "in performing this service, should I not be compensated in some way?"
Ah! Welcome back, Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada.
"Bilkul," he stated immediately.
A small satisfied smile formed upon her lips and she delicately placed the food in his mouth. He watched her as he chewed. She appeared serene preparing the next mouthful, but he wagered that pagal dimaag of hers was racing. And just before she placed more food in his mouth, he said, "however, compensation should reflect the services rendered."
She faltered and forgot to remove her fingertips as his lips closed over them. Her eyes widened and she pulled her fingers away. Colour rose in her cheeks and he enjoyed the sight immensely.
"Matlab?" she managed to ask, this time prudently bringing a spoon of dahi to his lips.
He accepted the dahi, swallowed and leaned farther towards her. She tilted her face away from his proximity and her eyelids lowered. His voice was low as he clarified, "if you expect me to pay for this pleasure by allowing you to leave this house, then you are mistaken."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Khushi's eyes blazed up to meet his. Her eyes told him she was hurt. She attempted to scramble off the counter, but he had anticipated flight and caught her shoulders. His hold was gentle. He wanted to drill a point into her, not injure her.
"You are going nowhere." Arnav released her shoulders, turned and stepped away to exit the kitchen.
"EK MINUTE, MR RAIZADA!" she said, and stopped him by gripping the back of his collar. "You are going nowhere!"
Khushi felt his body grow rigid under her hand.
He exhaled heavily, and turned to face her. "How dare you---!" he began.
"---nahin! I will speak now" she cut him short. "You think you know me but you don't know me at all." She saw that Arnav's eyes lowered briefly at those words. She continued, "I wasn't asking to leave. I was asking---mera matlab---if I'm to remain for six months, I want to sleep in your bed."
"What?!"
"Before you start your what-the-what-the just listen to reason. It's a big bed. We've shared a bed before. I'll stay on my side. You won't even know I'm there""
"Okay."
"I won't disturb you. I can be very quiet. I'll---Kya?"
"Yes. You. Bed. Fine."
Khushi was stunned. He had ceded. And with relatively little difficulty. Well done, Khushi, she silently congratulated herself. This Laad Governor doesn't stand a chance when you put your foot down.
IF KHUSHI FELT TRIUMPHANT, one had to only wonder, Sisters, what Arnav Singh Raizada felt in that moment. He was accustomed to matters going his way when he did the right thing---but to receive what he wanted by doing the wrong thing was beyond logic. Misjudging Khushi had made her his wife. And misjudging Khushi once more had landed her in his bed.
It was a diabolical universe.
He looked up to see that she had extended her hand. Her fingers held another morsel. Her eyes locked with his, and he parted his lips and accepted the food. She continued to feed him, and he ate.
She gave him a spoonful of dhal.
"Very tasty. Who made the dhal?" he asked.
"My Jiji," she proudly replied.
"Clearly I married the wrong sister."
Laugher bubbled out of Khushi, "yes, you did. And she irons well, too."
"No wonder Akaash looks so happy."
Khushi laughed again, all aglow with some inner light. In that moment Arnav knew that she had been right when she had said to him, 'You think you know me but you don't know me at all.'
Edited by JalebiJane - 9 years ago
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