Arshi OS - Hold on Tight... (Completed 21/10/17, MY OPINION PG 9)

Hold on tight...

Khushi watched from the side as Arnav, Sheetal and Aarav celebrated Aarav's' win... She watched as Aarav shared the same victory handshake with Arnav and Sheetal... To any outsider looking on, it would look like they were the perfect, happy family...

Just like she did right now... Not only did it look like a happy family to her, but she also felt like a total outsider in her own home...

She watched as all her family members stood around the family, not a single person noticing her... Not even her husband...

Feeling an ache in her chest, she walked away, feeling like she wasn't needed there anymore or maybe she was just never needed there in the first place...

***

"Awesome threesome? she muttered to herself, the ache in her chest intensifying.

When her husband finally asked for her, she felt relieved he hadn't forgotten her. Even if the rest of the family hadn't noticed, he had... And that put a smile on her face instantly.

But that smile faded as she watched on with her husband fussing over Aarav along with Sheetal it was like they were the husband and wife and Aarav was their child. They looked like a normal set of parents watching out for their kid as they both spoke at once. Where did she fit into this? Was she even needed?

As if rubbing salt on her wounds, she heard the family comment on Aarav's similarity to Arnav's childhood nature...

And when Anjali mentioned about him getting practise with handling children, she felt a part of her break...

The man who could hardly bare to see children a year ago now had a bond with someone else's child his ex's child who, by some cruel joke of destiny, resembled him in almost every way...

Was it wrong for her heart to have wished that the first child he ever bonded with would be their child? Was she being selfish?

***

When he asked her why she'd made jalebis, she replied that she did it because he won. She didn't feel like sharing her feelings with him for some reason. This was the man who she used to share her everything with. But why did she suddenly feel like she couldn't talk to him anymore?

She knew that she'd made a mistake by getting a DNA test done for Aarav and Arnav. But she'd admitted it and tried to make up for it too. She'd told him that she trusted him and had even ripped up the pieces of paper. But did that mean Arnav could do whatever he wanted with Sheetal and Aarav? Did he never think that seeing them like that would hurt her, his wife?

The morning had started off with her trying to make him happy by setting up a basketball match for him, but she had no idea at the time that while making him happy, she would have her own heart scarred...

All sorts of questions were rising in her heart as she got his clothes out for him...

Suddenly when he mentioned thinking of taking Saturday off work to train Aarav, Khushi felt a pang in her heart. How was it that he had time to take off for a child who came into their life less than a month ago but he didn't have time to sit down and ask her if she was really okay? Maybe she had said that she was fine, but if he really cared wouldn't he have asked again? Would it have hurt to do so? Or did he just not care anymore?

Had his priorities really changed...?

***

That night after she was sure Arnav had slept, she crept out of the bed and headed to the poolside.

Sitting on the floor, she brought her knees close to her chest as she finally let the tears fall free.

She let go of all the pent-up emotion that threatened to shatter her heart into pieces...

She cried... and cried... and cried...

She didn't know how long she sat there crying, muffling her sobs with her knees, feeling like her entire world was crashing down...

But she suddenly felt a presence next to her...

Knowing exactly who it was, she wanted to get out of there. She didn't want to face him now...

But before she could get up, she felt her husband's hand on her arm.

"Khushi? she heard his voice quiver.

Arnav had woken up as soon as Khushi had got out of the bed.

He knew that something was worrying her. He'd figured it out earlier on when she'd made jalebis. But she refused to tell him anything when he asked, so he left it. He was tired at the time and he couldn't be bothered to deal with her doubts.

He knew her apprehensions were probably revolved around Sheetal and he couldn't explain how irritated it made him feel to see her insecurities. They were husband and wife for goodness' sake! They went through so much to get to where they were today so many hurdles, so many obstacles, so many problems... And even after everything they were still together and most importantly, still madly in love with each other and yet she still doubted him with Sheetal? Enough to get a DNA test done on him and Aarav?! Why did she have to worry herself with such baseless things? Especially when he'd already mentioned that whatever he and Sheetal had between them meant nothing and definitely wasn't love?

That's why even when he heard her break down, even when he felt his heart prick with every cry of hers, he didn't go to comfort her... Because he hoped that maybe if she got it off her system, she would finally be able to think with a clear mind and understand the real dynamics of his relationship with Sheetal or should he say his non-existent relationship with Sheetal.

Frankly put, there wasn't anything between them. Yes there were memories from the time they had been friends maybe even some from when they were dating. But they were simply distant memories of a friend. And even those memories were only triggered because Sheetal and Aarav were staying at their house as guests. That's all they really were to him. Guests. Guests who he treated well because they were guests. And he really hoped that Khushi could understand that soon.

But when he noticed that she was still crying just as hard 10 minutes later, he started to get worried.

Did this issue really hurt his wife that much...?

He started to question himself as the ache in his chest intensified ten folds at hearing her cries. Had he really been blind to her pain? Had he broken his promise to himself to keep his wife happy, always...?

Unable to keep away any longer he walked towards the poolside.

When he saw the miserable state she was in tears streaming down her cheeks, eyes swollen, her shoulders shaking with her sobs, her body curled up into a ball he felt his heart shatter into a million pieces.

Damn his tiredness and damn his freaking logic!

How had he let it get to this?

Feeling the guilt weighing him down, he sat down next to her.

He knew the exact moment she registered his presence.

As she tried to get up, he held her arm, refusing to let her go.

Sheetal could go to hell for all he cared. The woman next to him was the one who mattered the most to him, and he would be damned if he let her go right now.

In fact, he wouldn't let her go until they sorted this bloody issue out once and for all. He loved his wife more than his life and he would never lose her for some outsiders.

When Khushi attempted to wipe her tears and try to pull away again, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his chest, trying to give her the comfort she needed.

But Khushi continued to struggle, trying to wriggle out of his arms, hitting him, slapping him, whatever she could do, but he held her to his chest, securely wrapping his one arm around her shoulder and cupping the back of her head with his other hand, resting his chin on the top of her head.

Khushi eventually gave up against his iron strength, sagging against him, her tears silently cascading down her cheeks, onto his t-shirt.

Arnav didn't say anything... He simply held her, stroking her hair as she continued to cry her heart out.

And what Khushi didn't see was the way his own eyes turned glassy at the sight of her anguish.

Thankfully, a few minutes later, her sobs subsided because, upset with him or not, being in her Arnavji's arms always soothed her in ways she could never describe.

After a long time, she finally broke the silence. "You should just marry Sheetalji, she said in a resigned tone.

What the hell?!' Arnav thought. He definitely didn't expect that. But he kept silent. And when Khushi tried to break out of his arms again he held on tight.

She went on, "She'd be the perfect wife for you. She'd be the wife who could match you at your every step. A wife who could play basketball with you for fun. A wife who can make you salad instead of jalebis. A wife who can dress up modernly to match you instead of wearing a low class salwar. Khushi smiled sadly as she stared at the pool. "The two of you even have good chemistry... I saw the way you looked at her in that match... And anyways she knows you much better than I do... You really would make an Awesome Twosome, she said, repeating what she'd heard him say earlier. "Oh sorry, no, you would make an Awesome Threesome.

Arnav felt a stab in his heart at her words. He had said that earlier without even giving it a second thought. He hadn't realised the impact of this own words until now...

Of course she would be hurt. How can any wife stand her husband making a twosome' with some other woman that too his ex? He wanted to slap himself for being so inconsiderate.

And what made it all worse was that there was no sarcasm in her tone. She truly meant every word she just said she truly thought that she wasn't the right match for him.

"Aarav would be the perfect son for you... He talks like you, walks like you and even has the same habits as you... He doesn't take the whole house down with his tantrums like normal children... she once again repeated something he'd said earlier. "You both gel with each other so well... If we ever had children and the child turned out crazy like me you would probably hate him/her... Even in this aspect they're perfect for you... she said, believing every word she was saying.

Arnav once again cursed himself for saying something like that. It was true he really did like Aarav because he wasn't like the typical fussy kid. But he didn't love him like a father not at all! And most of all that didn't mean he wouldn't love their child! He didn't care how crazy their child turned out to be he would love them nevertheless! In fact, he wanted a pagal child with doe eyes just like the woman in his arms the woman he loved! But his wife had once had misunderstood a casual statement, thinking he wouldn't love their child...

"Looking at the three of you together, anyone would easily say that you are the perfect happy family, she said, her gaze still fixed on the pool as her mind thought back to the different images of them she'd seen throughout the day. "Even me... she whispered brokenly, more to herself than to him...

"Finished? Arnav finally asked in a steely tone. "Now can I speak? he questioned, tightening his hold on her as, once again, she tried to get out of his arms like she had attempted several times while she was speaking.

Khushi didn't reply to him, nor look at him she was too far gone in her own grief to respond.

"Khushi has it ever occurred to you that if I really wanted a modern wife then I would have gone on to marry Lavanya? he dropped the first bomb of reality.

Khushi blinked.

"But I didn't. In fact, the reason that marriage stopped was because both Lavanya and I realised that I didn't love her. Instead you were on my mind all the time! he confessed the reason why he didn't get engaged to Lavanya.

Gently, he lifted Khushi's chin up so that he could meet her eyes. "Khushi you're crazy. You talk a lot. A lot of the times you test my patience and get on my nerves but... I love you for it! There's no one like you... Your selflessness, your courage, your passion for helping others, your morals... everything about you is special... You're a hundred times better than me, Khushi... You're more than special...

Khushi who was looking up at him felt that tiny little bit lighter at his words... She couldn't look away from his mesmerising which were speaking to her own in that moment... Telling her he loved her... Admired her...

"Khushi I'm surrounded by hundreds of modern women every day. But I don't want any of them, because none of them make my heart beat the way you do, he said earnestly. He gently caught hold of one of her hands and placed it on his heart...

In that moment of silence, both could feel his heart beating in sync with her own...

Dhak Dhak

Dhak Dhak

Dhak Dhak

Khushi felt her heart melt as she felt the same tingles as she always felt for him... The connection that always bonded them together no matter what...

"Khushi I don't want any of those modern women. I only want you. I don't care if you wear low class salwars or modern clothes. Hell you could wear a rucksack if you want but even then I'd still only want you! I want you Khushi... Just you... No one else... Not Sheetal, not Lavanya and not any other woman on this planet... I need you Khushi...

Suddenly the images from the basketball match came back to Khushi.

"Well it didn't seem like you needed me this morning, she said, finally looking away.

Arnav was at a loss of words. He knew it was his fault. He'd been so caught up with the game that he didn't think of Khushi.

At the time, he hadn't thought of the fact that he was playing with his ex-girlfriend or her son. It had simply been the thrill of the game that he'd enjoyed, and he got lost in it. But it was his fault for not considering that aspect from Khushi's point of view his wife's point of view. He agreed that it was completely his fault for ignoring her.

Cupping her face and turning her to look at him, "I'm sorry Khushi, he apologised sincerely. "That was a horrible thing to do on my part, but I swear it had nothing to do with Sheetal. I haven't played basketball in so long and I just got caught up in it to realise anything else. Sheetal put up a challenge and I accepted it. That's all. I would have played the exact same way even if it was someone else in her place. I was just having fun, but I agree I didn't think about how it would make you feel to see me playing so carefreely with my ex and that was inconsiderate on my part...

Arnav sighed, thinking of how to put his feelings into words. "Khushi... Sheetal has no significance in my life and that's clear in my head. She's just a guest to me. I know my priorities and I know who is important to me and who isn't. And maybe that's why I'm not being cautious around her and in turn hurting you. But I swear, that I've been acting that way not because I feel anything for her but in fact, the complete opposite, he said, honestly.

"And chemistry? Do you really think we would have broken up if our so called chemistry was so great? What we have between the two us, he pointed to himself and Khushi, "That's chemistry. That's love. That's the connection between two soulmates. One look at you and I'm lost Khushi... I never felt that for Sheetal never did and never will, he said with conviction, never letting his gaze waver.

Khushi was feeling as though her mind had been covered in a thick haze until now and Arnav's words were clearing it up little by little.

After another deep sigh Arnav said, "As for Aarav... Yes, I do like that he's not like the typical kids who take the whole house down. And it's sad that such a nice kid doesn't have his father with him.

"So you're trying to fill in for his father? Khushi couldn't help but blurt that out in irritation. It's not that she didn't like Aarav. In fact, she loved him. He was a child for God's sake what's there not to like? But she just couldn't help but feel slightly jealous. Especially with all the family members going on about how similar he was to Arnav. Their words only fuelled her insecurities further. And it also made her sad because she felt that Arnav was meant to experience all of that with their child first... Was she being selfish?

"No Khushi! he said, exasperated. "The only children I'm going to have are with you and no one will ever be able to take their places in my life. I just feel sorry for Aarav and I understand what he's going through. And I know you feel the exact same way. It's just that he seems to like me and I like him. So I'm just trying to help him as a friend, in what little ways I can, but that's about all there is to it...

Khushi was finally starting to come back to her normal self, listening to him speak of his point of view.

"How do you think it makes me feel to hear everyone talk about how similar Aarav is to you? she muttered, looking down.

Arnav felt his heart go out to her. How much had she endured in these few days? No wonder she had done the DNA test.

Her insecurities weren't just the result of one event but in fact a series of small events over several days and the worst part was that no one even realised the impact of their actions and words on his wife.

He hugged her to himself, stroking her hair, "I'm so sorry Khushi. I never realised how much all those comments would have hurt you... All I can say is that me and Sheetal never got involved physically to ever have that kind of possibility. You have nothing to worry about Khushi, I promise, he said soothingly.

Khushi felt lighter. This is all she had wanted... Some loving assurance from his side that she was all he wanted... That there was nothing between him and Sheetal... That Aarav wasn't his... Maybe he'd said it before, but she just wanted the assurance that her husband was still with her... That he still needed her...

"Maybe I'm being selfish but I just wish you'd experienced all this with our child first... Khushi thought, but hadn't realised that she'd actually mumbled it out loud.

Smiling, Arnav pulled back from the hug to cup her face in his hands. "Khushi I didn't learn to handle kids with Aarav I learnt it with my first baby, which will always be you, he said, surprising her. "You're no less than a kid yourself sometimes, he commented, looking at her with affection, making Khushi pout.

Seeing that expression on Khushi's face, Arnav felt relieved. His wife was back. Finally.

Leaning in, he kissed her lips softly, reverently...

"And I love you for it, he said against her lips.

Wanting to get as close as possible, Arnav hugged her closer, softly peppering kisses all over her face her cheeks, her forehead, her nose, her chin, her lips, her jaw, her neck... Everywhere he could reach...

And Khushi couldn't push him away when she craved the same thing...

She couldn't deny that she'd missed him terribly in these past few days...

She didn't know how they'd managed to create the distance between themselves it was both of their faults now that she thought about it from both of their point of views. She should have had a little more trust on her husband, not letting other people's words get to her. And he should have been a little more considerate towards her feelings when interacting with his ex-girlfriend and her son. Both of them had been right in their own ways, but lack of communication just made the distance grow between them.

But now she'd had enough. She'd missed him so much over these past few days and now that things were falling back into place at last, she was going to grasp on to it and hold on tight.

She finally let her limp hands make their way towards his collar to clutch him closer.

She felt Arnav's lips curve into a smile as he paused.

He looked down at her hands which were holding his collar tight, and then looked back up at her, his eyes shining with happiness of her acceptance...

He suddenly crashed his lips on hers with a surge of passion...

Khushi responded equally, wanted to get closer...

As their teeth tugged at each other's lips, their tongues sucking and duelling, they felt their need for each other become irrepressible.

Not wasting another moment, Arnav lifted Khushi up into his arms and carried them both into the privacy of their room.

Still kissing her vigorously, he laid her on their bed, before getting on top of her, rubbing himself against her desperately as his hands fondled her her swan-like neck, her full breasts, her soft waist, her curved hips, her small butt... He was touching her wherever he could...

And she was responding equally, arching up to his touches, her own hands caressing his broad shoulders, his muscular arms, his tight abs, his strong back... Wherever she could reach...

Very soon, their clothes were ripped apart in their fiery passion...

Arnav's mouth latched onto Khushi's breast, making her cry out in pleasure as her fingers clutched his hair in a fist.

He bit, sucked and licked endlessly, driving Khushi mad with his ministrations.

Both were just desperate to be close to each other they needed it for their sanity...

And so within the next minute Arnav surged inside Khushi, both of them whimpering with the contact.

Khushi wrapped her legs around his waist, letting her hands roam over his back while he had his one hand squeezing her breast and the other curved around her head on the pillow as he thrust into her repeatedly.

Their harsh breaths mingled as they moaned and groaned together, their eyes never leaving each other as Arnav thrusted inside her, again and again.

He buried his head in the crook of her neck, sucking hard as he continued to move inside her, hard and fast...

Feeling close to the brink he squeezed her breasts hard with both of his hands, as he rammed into her with a carnal lust, over and over, making them both come crashing at the same time, Khushi with a loud cry, "Arnavji!!!! and Arnav with a low grunt, "Khushi!!!

He thrusted a few more times, releasing his seeds into her before pulling out and slumping over Khushi's body.

That had been explosive and they both knew it.

It took a few minutes for both of them to get their breathing back and come down from their high...

"Khushi? Arnav was the first one to speak.

"Hmmm? she stroked his hair.

"Promise me. Promise me that if something like this ever happens again and I go down the wrong path, hurting you, you will hold on tight and pull me back. Promise me that you will never leave me, he pleaded, his vulnerability clear on his face. "I can't live without you...

Khushi's eyes stung with tears. "Forever... I promise... she replied cupping his face, emotions flooding her.

"And you need to promise me that you're never ignoring me when you're with Sheetal or any other woman again, she said pouting.

Arnav smiled, seeing her being possessive of him.

"As long as you promise not to ignore me when watching Salman Khan's movies, he retorted.

It was only fair. She wasn't the only one who got jealous.

"Haawww, Khushi gaped at his absurd request.

"Promise? he asked, smirking.

Pouting, she relented, "Promise.

His eyes softened. "I promise I will never ignore you when I'm with another woman again. And if I do, you have full rights to come and slap me, he said sincerely. After a moment of thought he added, "Or come and kiss the daylights out of me in front of her, cheekily.

"Done, she said, wrapping her arms around him tight.

"So we're holding on tight? he asked, his forehead leaned against hers.

"We're holding on tight, she agreed, meeting his eyes full on.

With that they both moved in on her for another round... This time gentle and slow...

The two of them didn't know what awaited them tomorrow.

But what they did know was that, whatever it was, they could deal with it... Because now, they were in it together... Forever...

Sooo I really hope you guys liked that... Personally I felt that arshi just needed some real communication between them to solve this whole Sheetal issue some tears, some assurances and some kisses... Isn't that what it takes for most relationships to work? Communication? So that's what I tried to portray here and I hope it worked out well. Do let me know what you guys think positive and/or negative with your likes/comments. I know this is a track that everyone has different opinions on so I would love to hear your thoughts/opinions on this small attempt of mine to portray it the way I would have wanted it to happen.