Chapter 11
Arnav picked her up outside her house at seven sharp and took her to the rooftop restaurant called Richi Rich which offered authentic North Indian fare in Lucknowi andaaz. He liked the service and food her and the open skies would give them the right ambience to get to know each other. He did not know when he had been this attracted to anyone. He definitely did not want to leave it unexplored. He also knew that Khushi was a traditional girl and somehow she brought out the protective side in him. Why else had he run to see if she had been safe in Delhi?
Why her silent tears melted his rage in a split second? Why did he feel the pain she felt as if he hurt her? He did not know what he was feeling but he knew ever since he had met her, she was never far from his thoughts and now, her fragrance, her feel lured him deeper into her. He knew he wanted her and there was nothing he would not do to explore the attraction they shared. He knew she felt the same way. She was trying to run away from it but he was going to show her that what they have was something they should not let go, so easily.
Khushi looked resplendent in gold and orange kurta with a cream churridar and dupatta. He had yet to find her dress gawdy or over the top. But then there was something innately stylish about this traditional girl who had her unique embroidery stamped on each of her dress. He had started noticing the unique patterns she developed on her dresses which made the dress stand out without taking away the simplicity and elegance. She had a rare talent and he would love to explore some ideas with her.
So far, they had always been at loggerheads, but something told him that if they teamed up, they would probably be an explosive pair who could bring unique design and exclusive tastes for the upper echelon of the society bigwigs in a unique manner. He wondered how Khushi mingled with both his business and personal goals. She was one unique woman.
Khushi could not take her eyes off of Arnav who was dressed in cream trousers, dark burgundy full sleeved shirt and a tan colored sport jacket. He took her breath away. She could not believe a man could look so good and not be aware of it. He seemed to be totally without the affectation that came with the knowledge of being attractive. She smile at him though she looked away the minute he raised his eyebrow in question.
She shook her head and picked up her glass of lemonade. She watched him over the brim of her glass and found him staring at her. She quickly looked down but knew her cheeks had turned pink in embarrassment. He took her hand that was on the table and played with her fingers. She snatched it away and put both her hands in her lap. Just then the food arrived and he said, "Khana khudd kha logi ya mein khilaa doon?"
She looked at him and retorted, "Mein apna kaam khudd karna jaanti hoon."
"Toh tum mujhe apna kaam kyon nahi karne deti?" he asked again with a raised brow.
"Kya aap hamesha mera mazaak hi banana chahte hain kya?" she asked in a perplexed voice that was laced with anger that simmered just below the surface. She was too embarrassed at the attention he was giving her and the only thing she could think of to push him away was work with anger.
He delved deeply into her eyes and muttered, "Tum mera kya banaa rahi ho jaanana chahti ho?" and on seeing a becoming color flood her face, smiled and squeezed her hand that she had brought out from under the table to lift the spoon.
"Khana khao' mein kuch nahin karoonga. Promise. At least not right now." Arnav let go of her hand and touched his hand to his heart like a scout boy.
Then they came to an amicable truce of not riling each other and talked about things like architecture of Lucknow which led to their tastes in designs and were both pleasantly surprised when they said together that their favorite, the Boys as they are known; Khosla and Jani. They looked at each other and quizzed as to why they liked them in particular and both said, for their eccentric talent and bringing Indian Art alive.
Khushi then admitted that her penchant for bright colors and weaving contemporary with traditional art of Chikankari was an inspiration she took from there.
Arnav admitted that their work had made him delve into the idea of bringing traditional Lucknowi work to the world. He had forgotten that his roots had so much to offer and that was the reason he had expanded to Lucknow and bring exclusive designs to the world in form of work such as what she created.
Khushi for once could not stop herself for feeling proud from hearing praise from this impossible man. On second thought he was not that impossible.
Having gotten mellow with insightful conversation and lavish dinner, when Arnav leaned forward to kiss her as he came to a stop outside her house, Khushi pushed him away with, "Ye kya kar rahein hain aap?"
"Jo mein shaam se karna chahta tha?" Arnav rejoined trying to bring her face to his.
She pushed his hands and away and said, "Stop it! What is with you guys? Why do you always have to think that nice friendly conversation and dinner leads to this?"
"I don't remember it that away, Khushi. I remember a certain someone, putting her hands into my shirt, willingly I might'" he reminded her. But Khushi put her hands on her ears and said, "Enough, I knew i should never have said yes to a date with you. You men are all the same, lechers."
Arnav then lost his cool, moved away and clenched his fists on the steering wheel; looking straight through the windscreen and barked, "OK Ms Gupta, i get the point, i guess you can get out of the car now so i can take my lecherous self out of your sight."
Khushi immediately felt contrite for saying those things. She did not know what made her say those things to him. If only, she could take those words back. She got out the car and saw it speed away with screeching tires and stood there till her sister came out of the house and asked her, "Kya hua Khushi, kyon ro rahi hai?"
"Kyon ki mein usse pyar karne lagi hoon!" Khushi muttered as she hugged her sister.
Pati Patni Aur Panga
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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